HOUSING AT DENNISTON

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 38, 14 August 1923, Page 3

HOUSING AT DENNISTON

BETTER HOMES FOR MINERS.

The Minister of Mines, in discussing the Mines Department report in Parliament Jit tr n infir' -1S reP°rted to have stated w»r f T"J? °°ndit><Mis at Denniston were not of the best, and it was the most inhospitable place he had over seen but that conditions were now beino- im' proved by the Westport Coal Company. The secretary of the New Zea-land Coal Mine Owners' Association (Mr. T O Bishop) furnishes the following information as to what the Westport Coal Company is doing in this respect:— 1 hoi company ia at present carrying out a building p O Ii CJ a t both Millerton and Dcnniston, erecting houses of modern design equipped with hot and cold water services, electric light, and all up-to-date conveniences. Sixteen of (hose houses have been completed, others are. in course of erection, and tenders will be invited m the very near future for a Still further number.

The clubhouse, which is provided by (hecompany for the benefit of il« employee* has recently been moved to an attractive site, and the grounds nirrowndinjr it are being laid out with lawns and shrubbery, and the club includes a billiard-room ' lecture-room, games-room, and readincr»nmS" f^? n Cre "0W c"»aecd "I ">o exl»nso of the company in improving tho whole of the township and - generally Cleaning it up. Tho company al«o advances money at, a, very low rale of interest to any employee desirous of building Ins own house, and the electric light installed in the workers' dwelling is R upplied -at actual cost. Tho company alra contributed substantially to tho co»t of the Denniston Cottage Hospital, and"pays an annual subsidy towards its upkeep and maintenance.

Tt is quite true, said Mr. Bishop, that the physical conditions of DenniVton are inhospitable, as stated by the Minister but it will h<s SC en that the company is doing all that can be expected with a v,ew to overcoming tho natural difficulties and malane living conditions as attractive as circumstances will permit.