PROPOSAL REJECTED

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 232, 28 June 1945, Page 5

PROPOSAL REJECTED

Transit Accommodation At Auckland

<i;,v Toiegrapli.— I’n-.-vi Associat.on i AUCKLAND, June 27.

By 11 votes to 10 Hie Auckland City Council last night rejected the proposal of its housing committee to establish additional "transit” housing .-iccommoda-tion in existing Army buildings in tlm Domain and at Victoria Park. The decision was reached after a three-hour debate, in which tiie mayor. Mr. .). A. C. Allum. and the 20 council members present all took pari. Though I lie meeting was in committee the council permitted Hie debate to be reported. A report, by the chairman of the housing committee. Mr. H. P. Burton., emphasized tiie seriousness of the housing position in tiie city and said it would be gravely increased by th" return of thousands of servicemen. The council had a definite duty to do everything in its power tn alleviate the distressing need oE the large number of citizens affected. Buildings remaining on the south-east corner of the inner Domain sports ground were convertible into »■>(> transit, units, and those in Victoria Park would provide 24 units. It. was intended that the Domain buildings should be left on tiie present. site, which would affect the .use of one football ground onlyl Those in Victoria Park would be moved, without being dismantled, on to disused tennis courts clear of the main nlaying area. The units would have an estimated life of ten years, and tiie standard of accommodation would closely resemble that provided at Western .Springs. Mr. Burton moved that, the proposals be approved and that the two areas be established as transit, camps in accordance with the provisions of the Auckland Temporary Housing Regulations, 1944. He further proposed that the mayor should negotiate with the Government to obtain the buildings free of cost. '