SHORTAGE OF HOUSES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24982, 17 September 1946, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF HOUSES

USE FOR PLEASURE CRITICISED R.S.A. SUGGESTS SETTLEMENT AT BURNHAM Agreeing that houses used only for pleasure purposes, or left empty for long periods of the year, should be occupied by those in need of accommodation, the executive of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association decided last evening to ask its Dominion headquarters to urge the Government to take some action to make such houses available to returned servicemen. A suggestion that Burnham Military Camp should also be used to relieve the housing shortage in Christchurch along the lines of the settlement at Harewood, was also made by several members. It was also decided to communicate with the other main centres seeking information with which to make a combined appeal to headquarters. Correspondence from a member of the Returned Services’ Association living at Hanmer Springs drew attention to an advertisement for a house to let which read: “Hanmer: sunny furnished cottage, all modern conveniences, 7 guineas.” The letter, which was also received, stated: “I wish to bring to your notice a typical advertisement concerning the houses to let in Hanmer. This is the second one of this kind we have seen within .the last two months. “For the last three months we (a young, married couple with an infant four months old) have been living in a two-roomed holiday place with absolutely no conveniences—no hot or cold water and no drainage. “I came up here under a rehabilitation scheme to work with the State Forestry Service, and I have been with them for rpore than six months; but I may be forced to give it up on account of the housing problem. The hardest part is to see a number of suitable houses lying idle except perhaps for- two or three weeks of the year.” Mr H. E. Batchelor said that there was evidently no shortage of houses in Hanmer Springs, providing one could afford to pay seven guineas a week. Rentals like that were evidence of exploitation and although it was hard to ask for any more Government interference in .this field cases like this deserved it. Mr J. A. Bretherton: It might be just as well to consider first that the damage done by irresponsible tenants is liable to be very great, and once they are in occupation they are very hard to get out. The chairman (Mr D. W. Russell): This is only part of a problem which exists all over the country in every holiday and pleasure resort. A scheme ought to be formulated whereby such houses are put into proper use so that those who have served their country should not have to put up with fowl-h-»uses and garages in the way they are in Auckland. Mr E. Orchard said that it was a shame that Bumham Military Camp should be closed now while it could be converted very easily into a housing settlement.! Although it was a considerable distance from Christchurch it could provide excellent accommodation for women with families. Bumham had very good shopping facilities whieh only needed opening up The meeting decided to obtain detailed lists from the suburban branches of the R.S.A. of what houses were empty or uncompleted in their areas before making any further plans.