HOUSING MAORIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 45, 23 February 1939, Page 15

HOUSING MAORIS

300 HOMES IN NORTH

Substantial progress has been made with State housing for Maoris in the North Auckland districts, ~ state's today's "New Zealand Herald." Acting as construction authority for the Native Department, the Public Works Department in the last eighteen months has arranged for ■ the erection of 300 homes, some for indigent Natives, but most for Native settlers. The sites are widely scattered. The Native Department decides where and for whom a house is to be erected and chooses the design from a number prepared by the Public Works Department. To date 170 houses have been finished and the staff of 130 men is turning them out at the rate of 20 a .month. Thirty of the men are skilled pakeha carpenters, who have been training the 100 Maoris employed. Many of the Maoris have shown such aptitude in the use of tools that they are now parrying . out unaided the complete erection of houses, with only an occasional visit from supervisors. The training they have received will stand them in good stead for the construction of milking sheds and other- carpentering work associated with the land development schemes. The average house consists of a sit-ting-room, two bedrooms, and a combined bath and washhouse, but they vary in size to meet 'particular requirements. The Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) has expressed great satisfaction with the class of homes being provided, seeing in them a means to raising the Maoris to European standards of living and responsibility as citizens. Most of the Maori wives occupying the new dwellings are very "houseproud" and through the nursing service they receive instruction which is designed to make this spirit permanent.