D—l

(b) Weatherboard .. .. .. 19,911 Single units .. .. .. 25,327 Brick .. .. .. .. 9,678 Double units .. .. .. 8,120 Concrete .. .. .. .. 1,521 Three units .. .. .. 123 Fibrolite, asbestos, sheathing, sidings, 3,621 Flats and multi units .. .. 1,161 and miscellaneous Total .. .. .. 34,731 Total .. .. .. 34,731 4. AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME UNDER CONSTRUCTION The average, length of time under construction of the State rental houses handed over during the twelve months ended 31st March, 1950 was forty-nine weeks. The figures for the various districts are as follows :

The above figures do not show the actual working-time spent on the building of State rental houses, but represent the time between first work on a house and the date of completion. It should be noted that 20 per cent, of the houses were built by Rehabilitation trainees, who do not work as quickly as experienced tradesmen. 5. WORK FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS (a) Land-settlement.—Housing for ex-servicemen under the land-settlement scheme is the largest and most important phase of the Division's work for other Departments. Work has not progressed as expeditiously as is desired, due to the continued reluctance on the part of contractors to undertake rural work, but the past year has been one of considerable progress and many long-outstanding jobs have been put in hand. In addition to the house units for ex-servicemen being settled on the land listed in the table above, the following is a summary of miscellaneous farm buildings constructed during the year, and of renovations or conversion of old buildings , into modern residences :

103

Average Time Under Construction, in Weeks. District. For Year Ended For Year Ended 31st March, 1950. 31st March, 1949. Auckland 48 55 Hamilton 48 59 Napier 51 66 Palmerston North 46 50 Wellington 50 62 Christchurch 46 56 Dunedin 56 63 Dominion average 49 59

— Auckland. Hamilton. Napier. Palmerston North. Wellington. Christchurch. Dunedin. Total. Renovations and 1 3 2 13 10 13 42 conversions Milk-sheds 75 146 7 104 7 17 15 371 Implement-sheds 57 129 60 101 34 56 34 471 Piggeries 84 29 9 122 Wool-sheds .. 2 6 3 H 6 17 Stables and barns •• 1 16 31 48