IMPORTANT TO BUILDERS

Evening Star, Issue 23495, 8 February 1940, Page 8

IMPORTANT TO BUILDERS

GOVERNMENT HOUSING AND SUBSIDISED WORKS LITTLE PRIVATE BUILDING AT PRESENT SOKE DELAY IN STEEL STOCKS If the Government housing scheme suddenly stopped for any reason in Dunedin, quite a considerable hole would be mado in the work offering lor builders. This scheme occupies a position of considerable importance in the building trade, for generally building of houses for private individuals has nob been as brisk of late as is generally experienced! at this time, many persons preferring to withhold their money just now when costs are rising. As one of the major builders in Dunedin said: “ We look twice at a man who comes along wanting us to build him a house.” Government works, or those subsidised by the Government, were those which in one opinion would he looked to to supply the majority of building. As an indication of the Government work on band or completed in Dunedin, some figures are of interest. During May, the R.N.V.R. building permit was issued, valued at £8,300,: while 14 houses under the housing scheme were permitted. August brought seven more houses, valued at £7,920, with the Otago Nurses’ Homo at £21,500. Twenty-seven Government houses were permitted in September at a value of £28,829; October housing figures amounted to £49,619; November brought the Otago Hospital Board building permit of £785; December the Otago Education Board buildings valued at £1,142; and last month permits were issued for 17 Government houses valued at £20,106. with a further Otago Education Board grant amounting to £986. In May of the previous year, 21' private dwellings were authorised, valued at £24.085, and one other building. Renovations to private houses numbered 27, with five to flats, and 12 other buildings affected. Figures 191’ private dwellings permitted in the succeeding months follow, with renovations in the above order in parentheses;—June, 19 of £20,330, and two other buildings (28, 1, 10); July, 16 of £47,527, and one other (25, 3, 17); August, 10 of £11,794, and three others (16, 4, 16); September, seven of £3,633 (35, 0, 12) ; October, 12 of £13,618 (32, 3,4); November, 11 of £11,489 (49 , 0, 10); December, G of £9,108 (25, 1, 10); and January, 11 of £12,528 (27, 1, 14). Thus it can bo seen that Government building plays an important part in the scheme of things. “ There are not many big contracts offering,” said one builder, who was of the opinion that it was mostly Government jobs that kept his business going. Materials shortages were keeping back some of the contracts; he bad one building on hand for which steel lias been awaited since last October. Stocks were not coming to hand as fast as was desirable, he said. Plastering had not- been interfered with much from this cause, except for colour, and perhaps some imported tiles. “ Government work is a big factor in building at present,” said another builder. “ and if it was stopped for any reason it would leave a big hole.” He admitted there were some difficulties in the way of the building trade at present as far as materials were concerned, but said there was always soma substitute that could he used that proved satisfactory. •* We meet the market ns it comes, and generally find a, reasonable substitute.” He could not complain about private building, as renovations and other work were offer-

Another builder said that he had enough work on hand to keep him going for six months, but it was all Government housing. Inquiries made over the steel position indicated that there was some tardiness in the arrival of goods for building purposes. One company had had steel .orders outstanding since August last, while delay was being exnerienced through goods not coming to band as rapidly as could be desired.