WORKERS' HOMES

THE SYDENHAM SETTLEMENT

Tho eleven new workers' dwel'mgs erected on the Sydenham settlement, which are now practically completed, were officially inspected yesterday j 'Ky Messrs J. Lorr.ae, Clrief Inspector of Factories, J. E. March, Superintendent of Village Settlements, W. Hagger, kscal Inspector of Factories, and W. Temple, Labour Department arohit."ct. The dwellings have been erected on an area of ten acres (bounded ly j Longfellow and Tennyson streets, and j intersected by $$ddon and .Millar | street*), known as the "police pad- ; dock." \rhich was acquired for tho \ Government by the late Hon. W. Uol- j leston. There arc thirteen dwellings i already on the settlement, and those j shortly to bo handed over for occupa- j tion bring the total up to twenty-four. ! There is space available for eleven .nore cottages. The original thirteen dwellings contain oac-b fivo rooms, while of r tho new houses two contain sis rooms, > fivo five rooms, and four four rooms, j There are five different designs, Mr Temple being tho architect. The dwelling are mast convenient in every respect, and promise a maximum of -.«omfort. There is an abundance of c-ujv-boards and wardrobes: caoh place is connected with the high pressure su-v ply, while hot and cold water are on. In ovcTy dwelling there is a bathroom, with wash-basin : pantry- w moat safe built in: seuibry. with «ink and hot and cold wator: a ooal-houso and fitted washhousc nil under cover. Gas fittings are provided in meet- of the room 3, and provision is made for the installation of pas stoves. The I drainage is Admirably deigned, ;ind j everything is in readiness for sewer connections when the area is dealt >vith by tho Drainage Board. Asphalt paths , are being laid down, and laurel diviil- . ing hedges are bcinjj planted, co that i the settlement should, in every respect. ' provo to be a workers' paradise. The rentals of the new houses have not apS , been fixed, but those of the j range from 9s 3d to 10s 6d weekly, i The qualification of tenant* provide j that they must bo worker* (not jnecessarily niaminl workers, of j course), that they shall l>o ; land lew. and bo in γ-v , ' , * j of wases or salaries not exceeding £200 per annum. Preference is given to workers with families, or widows or widowers with families. Tho duellings havo been erected under the direction of tho Labour Department., which will hand them over to tho Jurisdiction of tbo Land Hoard. The contractor is Mr E. A. Hitch ings, of Wellington, ' who erected six workers' dwelling in that centre, and is now about to take up a contract for building twelve in Auckland. His Christ church cohfract, i which occupied six months, has been j carried out most satisfactorily. Mr AY. j H. TJttley acted as foreman of works on i behalf of the Labour Department. Mr i Temple, has provided excellent designs, tho wholo settlement presenting a prosperous and attractive appearance. .Another admirable feature is the fact that throughout the construction of tho dwellings nothing but the best material has been used. The interior of tho different dwellings is cheery and bright, nr.d nltogether a distinotlv superior typo of homo to that usually offered for tho occupation of tho class of people catered for has been provided, and provided also at a lower rental. It is expected that the houses will br ready for tenants early next .month, . and as it is anticipated that they will be keenly sought aftor it is probable that many of tbo applicants will havo to go to tho ballot. * The Lands Department enquires closely into tho suitability of the different applicants, so that the character of the" settlement should be uniformly desirable. The rentals, which are fixed on a basis of 5 per cent, on the capital values of tho , different properties, are payable month* ly in advance.