REAL ESTATE.

LAND AND BUILDINGS.

PERMITS FOR OCTOBER. The matter of building in Auckland continues to show an. improvement, and the figures regarding the permits issued for October show a substantial increase on the figures for the same month, of last year. t There were issued last month. 279 permits of a total value -of £130,513. Of this number 77 were for dwellings. Several large works were put in hand last month, that of alterations to an hotel in Quay Street, running ■ into £10,000/ while the price given for the Bank of New South Wales at the top' of Upper Queen Street is £19,000.

For the .same month last year 236 permits were issued at a total value of £75,180. The increase this year is, therefore, 43 permits, while the increase in value of permits stands at £65,333.

. As far as the Mount Eden district is concerned there" is a good deal of building going on, and the figures for October give an indication of the work that is being done in that progressive suburb. For the month 48 permits were issued at a total value of £16,369. The permits included 16 for new dwel- . lings. •' New Picture Theatre. ~ With the steady advance of Edendale there is every indication that the wants of the residents are to be catered for in every way. It is certainly a long way to come into the city of a night to visit picture theatres, and realising this a picture theatre that, will ■ rival many of the city establishments is shortly to be erected in Edendale Road, near the tram terminus. The total value of the project, including the land and equipment of the theatre, involves an expenditure of £10,000. The theatre is being designed on the most up-to-date lines, and nothing will be wanting as far as-lighting and seating accommodation is concerned. The building wMI seat 850 people. On either side of the entrance there will 'be a shop. The building will be done in brick and concrete, and the unique arrangement of the seating is worthy of note. From a 16ft wide short flight of stairs an entrance is gained to the theatre proper. There will be no gallery. Instead the seats will rise in single steps to the rear of the building. The incline will permit of those persona in the rear having an uninterrupted 1, view of the screen. This will be, the first theatre to be built on. these lines,-'and should prove a welcome change from the present style that is reminiscent of tne pxst. Provision is also being made for converting the stage into one for legitimate ■ use. Messrs Grierson, Aimer, and Draffin are the architects. New Bank Buildings. There is nearing completion at the Thames a new building for the Bank of New Zealand. This structure is replacing the present place, in-Graham's Town, and is situated at the. Shortland end of the town, with the idea of tekr ing the business there. The building, which is costing £8000, is being constructed in brick. The front portion is one Btorey high and the rear portion rises two storeys. The building is to be finished in white stone plaster, will be classic in design, and the interior , -vy-ill be? completed irf oak and rimu. There are to be living quarters on the premises, which will be fitted with the latest and most modern devices. An interesting feature of this building is the fact thatit is built practically on the water level. When sinking the founaatiois the builders came across an old beach, and it was found necessary to construct a concrete raft to hold the foundations. The building is, therefore, on a permanent water level, and the site is waterlogged. The architects are Messrs W. A. Cumming and Edward Mahoney and Son. A building for the same bank, and designed by the above firm, has just been completed at Otahuhu. This 5* a single etoreyed structure in brick. The contract price was £2350. It is fitted with the latest conveniences, and provides livine; quarters. A start has inst been made on a new building for the Bank of New Zealand at Devonport. . The structure will be two storeys with livine? auartera on the first floor. It will be done in brick and classic in desien. The contract price is £5300. Messrs W. A. Cumming and Edward Mahoney and Son also have this work in hand. Four Years to Complete. An (important under the Housing Act, of 1925, is proposed by the Stepney Borough Council, involving the clearance of a site at Limehouse and the erection thereon of a gruop of flats to provide housing accommodation for some 2418 persons. The estimated cost of the scheme is between £300,000 and £400,000, and it is anticipated that the work will take nearly four years to complete. . Block in Albert Street Sold. ' i The Waitemata Power Board has pur-, chased the block at the corner of Albert and Kingston Streets from the executors of the estate of the late Mr. W. F. HaTrop. The property, hae a frontage of 47ft Gin to Albert Street and 64ft to Kingston Street. The buildings on the section include a two-storeyed brick structure on the , corner, and a wooden building adjoining. It is understood that the price paid was £7300, and the sale was effected through Messrs. Alfred Buckland and Sons, Ltd. The board intends to demolish the old buildings and to erect a ferro-concrete structure. Provision will be made for a spacious showroom on the ground floor with offices and board room above. It is expected that work on the site will be commenced in'three or four weeks, and that the building will be ready for occupation in June. Plans for the new building, will be submitted for final consideration, at the meeting of the , board on Monday. ;.