HOMES FOR WORKERS

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 125, 27 May 1920, Page 7

HOMES FOR WORKERS

TO THE EDITOR. N -Sir, —I notice in to-day's Post an article on the Government housing scheme at Miramar. I did not have the pleasure of meeting your reporter, but his eye does not seem-to have missed much in viewing the various dwellings in the course of erection at Miramar, judging by his report in the Evening Post. His main object, judging by the report, was'to find oat what .is being done by the Government to try and solve the housing problem. Having the largest number of dwellings under way, I am sorry that I did not see him before the report, was published; \ but although he never interviewed me, I must say I was very pleased with the report. Sut two things which I should have brought under his notice were to enlighten your readers why I have not been able to proceed quicker than . I have done, but by his report I am ahead of all expectations. Well, Sir, on the 21st November last I signed eleven contracts for six houses, to erect in each contract. And from the date of signing I had to hand over the first six within fourteen weeks from the date of signing, and after that two houses per week. As you, know, I have previously complained i through your col\imns because I could not get the. necessary water !aM on. Last Thursday, 20th inst., I had the necessary water laid on, to the site of my first • contract. I should have finished in February, and I started work on only last Friday morning, so I still have fourteen weeks to complete my first contract. I am certain I shall still be ahead of time.

The other sites ever since I started operations have been under water for weeks, after the lea6t shower of rain, but during the last few weeks they have been drained, so you see in one instance I have had too much water, and in the other not enough. I only wish to put the position clearly before your readers. In conclusion, I must cay in reply to all criticism re cheap timber and the shortage of labour, I have not suffered from either, and at present I have a larger staff than I need. Thanking you for the favour o-f a. little^of your columns.—l am, etc., H. E. MANNING. 25th May.