OTAHUHU BUILDING

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 243, 13 October 1936, Page 5

OTAHUHU BUILDING

INCREASE IN SIX MONTHS. In presenting his usual report 011 building permits to the council last night, the Otaliuhu borough engineer, Mr. W. <T. Hughes,, remarked on the large increases in building permits issued for the six months' period ended September 30, as compared with last year's figures. During the past six months 112 permits have been issued, at a total value of £27,910 13/3. as compared with 05 permits at a value of £19,782 for the corresponding period last year. Of the total number of permits issued, 58 have been for new residences, at a value of £21,888, compared with 38, at a value of £18,008. Alterations and additions to residences have accounted for 37 permits, at a value of £1475 14/, as against the 1935 figures of 20 permits at a value of £033. Alterations to buildings other than residences have taken 10 permits, at a value of £4546 19/3. The total amount of building fees collected during the period was £117 0/0. The engineer stated that the building trade in all branches is still very-brisk, and there seems to be a great demand for small residences for the working classes, and in his opinion there would be ample scope for a development of the Government building scheme in the borough. The Slayor, Sir. C. R. Petrie, stated that a housing scheme had been put before him, and he intended to refer the scheme to the works committee. 111 commenting on the satisfactory nature of the report, Sir. F. W. Grey stated that despite the number of new residences built, there was a constant demand for houses in tho borough, and people were moving into houses as soon as. they were completed, while he knew of one instance where they were waiting outside for the paperlianger to finish before shifting their furniture in. The average cost of the residence's erected in 1930 is £377, as"* against £470 in 1935, a decrease of £100 per residence.