HOUSING SITE ACQUIRED

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22003, 29 January 1937, Page 7

HOUSING SITE ACQUIRED

+ LAND FOR 120 SECTIONS

IN AUCKLAND

GOVERNMENT TO PAY ABOUT

£17,000

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEORAM.) WELLINGTON, January 28. One of the largest vacant blocks of land close to the city of Auckland, known as the Casey Estate, has been purchased by the Government for its housing scheme, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) said today. The Ministry for Housing had acquired the estate at a reasonable cost. Th2 purchase price would work out at about £17.000. The block would be slightly redesigned to increase tne size of the sections, but there would be at least 120 sections available and they would work cut at £l4O a section. The land, which is on Richmond road, was the largest vacant block close to the city, continued Mr Savage. The Auckland City Council, which had investigated many properties, had stated that in its opinion the Casey Estate at the price at which it was available, made it the most suitable for the housing'scheme. The council had acquired an option over the land, which it had not exercised, but had been pleased to leave to the Government.

Referring to the purchase price, Mr Sbvagc said: "This is only another evidence of the capacity of the Government to buy building sections at a price that shows an extraordinary saving over the cost of similar sections purchased a few years ago. "In all probability while the Orakel Estate, which is Crown property, is being further rcaded and dealt with, a scheme supplementary to that which will be commenced in Auckland directly, will be proceeded with on the Casey Estate," he added.