HUXLEY STREET HOUSES.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17315, 29 November 1921, Page 8

HUXLEY STREET HOUSES.

MINOR DEFECTS. OITY COUNCIL OBJECTIONS.

The Acting-City Surveyor reported to the City Council last night that he had inspected the municipal houses erected in Huxley street. As far as it was now possible to ascertain, the specifications seemed to have been fairly well adhered to, but the architect's attention should be drawn to certain minor points. ;... The Mayor said that all the matters mentioned had been attended to and the architects certified that everything was now in order.

Cr. W. H. Winsor stated that where no replacement was made the in cost had been allowed to the" Council. Or. H. T. Armstrong declared the work had not been carried out according to specifications. That was another argument against the contract system. ■ Cr. Winsor: Nonsense.

O. Cook« said it was anything hut nonsense.. Thero were ten complaints specified and the refund of the difference in value did not benefit the occupiers. Cr. Armstrong: Some of these people should be in gaol. Cr Winsor said the City Council received the benefit of the reductions., Cr. II F Herbert said there seemed to be an attempt to dodge responsibility. If th 6 houses had not been inspected they would have been passed: The work should have been done according to specifications. Or. B. I>. Martin urged that any refund should go to the buyers of the properties. Fe moved that the City Engineer should be asked to make a further inspection and report. # ■ Cr. Hunter, who seconded the motion paid he had received further complaints ineludir-g one as to the use of green timber. Cr Wmsor- Where could they get seasoned timber at that .time.?A letter was read frbm'the architects stating tha-J tho Huxley street houses worked out at an average of £IO6O per nours. The contractors' profit was no more than £3O per house. The houses could not have been built cheaper at ihat time either by contract or day labour.

Cr. Martin's motion was carried. ,Cr. Armstrong proposed to speak on the subject of the letter, and the Mayor ruled that further discussion could not be taken until the report asked for was supplied. Cr. J. K. Archer: Its an insult to the Council to hear a partisan letter read and to havd no opporunity of speaking thereon.

The Mayor: I did not know what was in tho letter. . Cr. Armstrong: And now you do you want to have the discussion postponed. Cr. It. 3> Martin moved that tho letter lie on the tabic, saying it had nothing to do with the question under discussion.

The Mayor: It's already Jying on tho table. The motion was carried.