PARADE OF HOMES

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28222, 9 March 1957, Page 3

PARADE OF HOMES

Inspection By Minister The quality and value of the houses built in Way side street. Bryndwr. for the Christchurch Parade of Homes were commended by the Minister of Housing (Mr D. J. Eyre) when he inspected the 29 partly-completed houses yesterday afternoon. “Each builder seems enthusiastic to incorporate the most modern designs. using good quality materials with the best of workmanship.” said Mr Eyre. The Minister was accompanied by the secretary of' the Parade of Homes committee (Mr C. A. Lake), Mr M. R. Carter, who represented the builders, the Christchurch manager of the State Advances Corporation (Mr H. R. McKenzie), the district property supervisor of the corporation (Mr A. Gray), and the district superintendent of the Housing Construction Division (Mr H. S. Sherbrooke). Mr Eyre said that since taking over the portfolio of Housing two weeks ago he had inspected a similar exhibition of housing at Palmerston North and last Wednesday visited a housing exhibition at Invercargill. He said that the Christchurch Parade of Homes compared favourably with the other exhibitions.

The houses inspected by the Minister yesterday had an average area of about 1100 square feet, and ranged in price from £2500 to £3250 without the sections. The price of the sections varied from £650 to £775. Although many of the homes were builders’ showpieces some builders deliberately set out to display the type of house they usually built. Throughout his inspection, the Minister closely examined every aspect of construction, and spoke at length with builders and tradesmen. He was particularly interested in the trend to incorporate kitchens and dining alcoves in one unit.

Inside the houses, Mr Eyre saw wall and floor coverings of unusual design and in a variety of materials and textures. . Bright wallpapers of modern design, and paintwork in the latest shades and finishes provided attractive interiors to most of the homes. Few of the houses have garages or car ports, although terraces are a feature of the designs. Some are designed to expand, and many ingenious devices have been used to allow for extra rooms to be added. Mr Eyre said that he would return to Christchurch for a further inspection of the houses before the jfficial opening on March 30.