STATE FLATS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 28, 3 February 1943, Page 3

STATE FLATS

BIG CITY BLOCK

VALUABLE SITE PURCHASED

The Government's purchase for housing purposes of one of the few remaining large blocks in the residential part of the city was announced today by the Minister of Housing (Mr. Semple). The property, which belonged to the estate of the late Sir R. D. D. McLean is on The Terrace at the top of Ghuznee Street. A start is to be made shortly with the erection of portion of what ultimately will

be a large block of flats, compar-

able in size, according to present intentions, with the big block »of State flats in Upper Dixon Street.

The section of the building upon which a start is to be made will contain about 20 fiats. This section will rise to a height of five storeys. The accommodation thus provided will not be available until after the war for letting to members of the public, the intention being to use these flats to house women members of the forces, some of whom are now accommodated in part of the uncompleted State block in Dixon Street. The old residence occupied by the late Sir R. D. D. McLean is to be converted into mess and recreation rooms for the .immediate use of the servicewomen. Ultimately it will be demolished. The complete plans envisage a block of flats containing approximately 105 units, so that, when completed, this block in size will be on a scale comparable with the State flats in Dixon Street which are to provide 116 units. The main portion of the building will be seven or eight storeys high. HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. The land comprises over two acres and was for many years one of the beauty spots in the city. There are two houses on the land, the smaller being one of the oldest dwellings in the city and having an interesting history. It was built in the early forties by Mr. R. R. Strang. Sir Donald McLean married Miss Strang, and the only issue was Sir R. D. D. McLean, who was born in this house. The property has remained in the McLean family ever since. It has often been suggested that this house should be retained by the Government as a perpetual memorial to Sir Donald and Sir R. D. D. McLean, two pioneers in New Zealand, who gave valuable service to the Dominion. I ! The larger house was used as the city residence of Sir R. D. D. McLean for many years, and since the death of Lady McLean has been occupied by a caretaker.

The price paid for the property was approximately £14,000, and the sale was negotiated by Messrs. J. IJ. Bethune and Co., who have managed the McLean affairs in Wellington for many years.