EXHIBITION OF HOUSES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28008, 30 June 1956, Page 8

EXHIBITION OF HOUSES

Government To Supply 20 Sections LOCAL COMMITTEE ORGANISATION Twenty Crown sections have been made available to Christchurch builders for the construction of a group of houses which will comprise a parade of homes next summer. The sections are in Greers road, Harewood, in a piece of land known as the Flay Block. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) will be asked by the Minister of Housing (Mr W. Sullivan) to sponsor a meeting of interested persons to form a committee to organise the parade. A representative of the Minister will visit Christchurch late in July or early in August to explain and assist with the project.

The Minister wrote to builders in Christchurch this week asking them if they would be willing to take part in the proposed parade. Some reolies accepting the invitation and seeking further information have already been received.

Although the final decision on the date of the parade will rest with the Christchurch committee it is expected

that it will be in either January or February. Builders are permitted to construct one or more houses each. They may feature any designs they wish as long as the houses conform to local body requirements- and Government group housing specifications. Each house will have a price put on it and visitors inspecting the parade will be able to see exactly what they can buy with a stated amount of money. Builders say they will construct other homes to order for the prices quoted for houses in the parade. Home parades are becoming increasingly popular. Auckland held its first parade last year. Its second parade in April was visited by more than 200.000 persons. Builders are enthusiastic about the value of parades to them in new business and prospective home owners are said to be very satisfied with being able to get firm quotes for particular types of homes. The Government believes that parades, of which 10 have already been held throughout the Dominion, have given a new impetus to new’ housing construction.

The Minister said yesterday that Auckland, planning a further parade for next year, had decided to make the parade an annual event. Other parades were being organised in Palmerston North, Hamilton, and Invercargill.