PRESENT COST OF HOUSING

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25607, 23 September 1948, Page 3

PRESENT COST OF HOUSING

CONCERN EXPRESSED BY REAL ESTATE INSTITUTE

“The ever-increasing gap between the values of houses as stabilised in 1942 and the present day cost is a matter for grave concern, both to the Land Sales Court and the public generally, but it seems that with the present set-up little can be done,” stated the annual report presented at the annual meeting of the Canterbury-West-land branch of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, by the president (Mr L. W. Baker).

“This year has been an active one in the property market, although the demand for both houses and farms has not been quite as keen as in the past two or three years,” the report added. "This is borne out by the fewer applications received by the Rehabilitation Department, and the Land Sales Court figures, which show 4060 applications, as against 4680, at the same time last year.” Referring to the Local Government Commission’s sitting in Christchurch, the report expresses the opinion that the Christchurch City Council, would have its hands more than full, if it succeeded in all its requests, and the suggestion was advanced that the council would be well advised to accept much less than it was asking for. The following officers were elected: president, Mr Baker; committee. Messrs J. D. Arthur, R. A. Collie, N. G. Hillary, C. Hoy, G. J. Leech, N. H. McCrostie. H. T. Penrose, A. R. Sherris, B. H. Sluis, J. Wallace, and D. C. Wilson.