HOUSING SCHEME

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16653, 14 October 1919, Page 7

HOUSING SCHEME

ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL

200 DWELLINGS TO "BE ERECTED

Tho City Council's Town Hall and Housing Committee, which comprises all tho members of the Council, recommended the Council last evening to adopt a scheme for the acquisition of sufficient land for tho erection of at least 200 houses, such scheme in the main to provide for the sale of the houses, where erected, on easy terms, spread over varying periods of years to suit the circumstances of applicants. With a view to carrying out _this proposal tho committeo announced that A hreo sub-committees had been set up to investigate and report with regard to the following:— (a) Sites, bearing in mind the question of town planning. (b) Construction, design, and materials to be used in the erection of the houses. (c) Svstorn of finance, and terms upon which the houses should be held. Tlr* oomrn'ttee Fni'l it had given the guestion of tho erection of a town hall careful consideration, and it had to report that it was of opinion that the present time was inopportune for the discu§s''on of the matter. Cr. Flesher, chairman of the committee, moved the adoption of the report. If the report were adopted by ■ tho Council, ho said, it would be startins ont on a new era of municipal undertakings, with far-reaching results. The expenditure involved would bo between £150,000 and £200,000. "The committee had arrived at tho conclusions unanimously. Tho sub-commit-tees wero to meet again next week, by which time some progress should be reported. It was hoped that the Council would he able to avail itself of the Government's provisions. The committeo was determined to make practical progress. He had never experienced such a stron<r desire on the part of councillors to do something to relieve the shortage. There was plenty of land within easv access of Rounre, which could easily fill the b'll. Peonle buying tho houses would be ablo to do so on favourable terms, and provision would be mado for those rconlo wishing to rent places only. It was hoped tho scheme would prove both aceop+nWe and beneficial. Cr. Sullivan saul he wns pleased with the manner in which tho Council had faced and dmlt with the Question of housing. Ho wanted to express his disappointment, however, that +he Government Bill that had been hrouslit flown did not go further. It did not follow out the recommendations of tho Industries Committee. The Government should como to the assistance of the people, and not expect them to meet the whole cost of the scheme. The Imperial Government had come to tho decision of assisting the people by bearins: a portion of tho burden, so as to ennble the working man to be able to maVa ends meet. The report was adopted. nlso'Cr. Sullivan's motion:—"Thnt tho Finance Committee be requested to consider the recommendations of the Industries" Commission in regard to housing."