THE MAYOR’S HOUSING SCHEME.

Evening Star, Issue 22031, 17 May 1935, Page 6

THE MAYOR’S HOUSING SCHEME.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Now that Mr Cox has been returned as mayor of our city, together with a following of those who we are told possess progressive ideas, it is to be hoped that ho will not lose any time in initiating a sound housing scheme. It is utterly impossible for working

people to pay the deposit required for the private purchase of a house to-day, plus the exorbitant stamp duty and legal expenses. After this first cost there is the usual high interest to be regularly paid, as well as at least 10s a, week (usually more) off the principal, which, combined with rates and insurance, etc., make the necessary weekly payments so great that it is quite beyond the resources of the majority of workers-. I would respectfully suggest to the mayor and councillors that any scheme undertaken should possess the following features:—l3c financed with cheap money, sections to be not less than -J-acre, houses to consist of good material and good workmanship, erected in localities suitable for residences, and handy to the centre of the city. Instead of building on Clyde Hilt, as suggested, a place most badly laid out as far as streets are concerned, I would suggest utilising the land on cadi side of the path leading from Maitland street to Eglinton road, both sides of the road from the top of Stafford street to Eglinton road, the triangular piece of land fronted by Hawthorne avenue, Parklnl! street, and Meadow street, the left-hand side (going up) of the path leading from Canongate street through .iubilcc Park to Preston crescent, the frontages of that large area of land extending from Preston crescent round the Queen’s Drive in the direction of _ Hawthorn avenue, also along each side of the path leading from Preston crescent to Lonsdale street.

These are only a few of the places which, in my humble opinion, are admirably suited for the erection of dwellings, practically all of which would have at their rear large spaces in which the children could play. By utilising this idle land for the erection of dwellings a reasonable ground rent, say, £5 a section per annum, could be charged, which would go a.Jong way towards reducing the local public debt or the rates. Besides possessing the advantages already mentioned by erecting dwellings along these route the women and children of Eglinton, Mornington. and Bellcknowes would be able to take advantage of the short cuts to the city during the day or night with a feeling of security from molestation. Time out of number have I heard women residents of Bellcknowes express fear at the very thought of having to go to or from the city by way of Jubilee Park after dusk. Why the hill residents have for so long tolerated such a state of affairs I cannot understand. What applies to Eglinton, Mornington, and Bellcknowes also applies to Roslyn and Maori Hill. I feel sure that had there been a well-lighted roadway lined with dwellings linking Maori Hill with the city the recent dastardly outrage committed on one of our young women would not have occurred. I sincerely hope that the new council will either 'itself get to work with a building scheme along the roadways leading to our hill suburbs, or else give private enterprise an opportunity of doing the job.—l am, etc., New Zealand. May 16.