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Cromwell Argus, Volume LXI, Issue 3160, 27 April 1931, Page 6

lwo years ago (says the <Ne\v Zealaud Herald') it was stated that there were 1,400 empty houses in Auckland. To-day most' of these are occupied, and the demand has practically caught up to the supply. In view of this position, builders expect that there will soon be a revival of activity in house-building. Costs are ,£iog to ,£l5O lower in Auckland than they were two years ago for an house, and there has been a similar fall in building- costs in the south. At the end of last month the list prices of timber were reduced by 20 per cent, and roofing- iron is only 20 per cent above the pre-war price level. In other directions. ton. there has been a cutting; of costs. Bricklayers have made reductions, and baths and fittings are cheaper than for many years past. "You can build a fine type of house for said a representative of a city firm. "In some respects there is not much diffeience between present day costs and the prewar level."