POOR RESPONSE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21850, 22 October 1945, Page 2

POOR RESPONSE

TRANSIT CAMP PLAN

TEMPORARY HOUSING

EX-SERVICEMEN’S PRIORITY

“We selected approximately 60 men on our , list, whose housing circumstances appeared to be the most urgent, and forwarded them circular letters asking if they were willing to this accommodation until'State houses - became available for them,” said thedistrict rehabilitation officer at Gisborne, Mr. D. Baker, to-day. Mr. Baker was commenting on the response from ex-servicemen who were listed at the rehabilitation office as being in urgent need of housing accommodation and who had been circularised recently with a proposal to give them priority place when the Gisborne Borough Council’s temporary transit camp scheme was carried into effect. “So far, v/e have only received 25 replies from returned men, 15 of which indicated their willingness to accept accommodation at the proposed . camp, Mr. Baker remarked. “Naturally we are disappointed at the response and members of the Gisborne Rehabilitation Committee, at a recent meeting, expressed the view that if the housing circumstances of some of the men were as urgent as they would have the department believe, it seemed strange that they did not desire to bet-, ter themselves now that the opportunity offered.” • Priority State House Claims •

The fact that ex-servicemen who may accept accommodation at the transit camp would prejudice their chances of obtaining a State rental house by so doing, Mr. Baker thought, might be one reason for a number or the men hanging back. However, 1 he gave his definite assurance that this was not-the case. ■ “I would stress the point that any man accepting transit accommodation enhances his chances of obtaining a State rental house when it becomes available,” declared Mr. Baker. “Those ex-servicemen who state their circumstances are very urgent and who are not willing to avail themselves of this temporary housing should tear this in mind. Therefore, I would ask those men who have received circular letters and who have not yet replied, to do so urgently. . “Unless we receive replies from these men we can only conclude that their housing position is not as acute as they say it is, and the opportunity, so generoulsy given by the Gisborne Borough Council, will be made available to civilian applicants,” Mr. Baker concluded. The Circular Explained The circular letter referred to by the rehabilitation officer pointed out that the scheme depended upon a sufficient number of rehabilitation State hpuse applicants being willing to This, together with the Gisborne Bor-: ough Council accepting the housing;' committee's recommendations to prof;, ceed with the camp, was the deciding, factor of whether or not the scheme,., would be proceeded with. ' The council had given the rehabilitation office first opportunity of providing'., tenants from its State house It was to be clearly understood that tne* acceptance of this temporary accommo-;' dation would not prejudice the appli.-f cant’s, priority' in obtaining a rental house. An outline of the council’s proposalsfor the transit camps was included in' the letter. These stated that it was prooosed to convert the huts at present situated on the Park Domain into small cottages. The huts—3oft. by Bft. would be sub-divided into three rooms, would be provided with electric Tight and water would be laid on to- a sink in each hut. Gas ranges and portable stoves would be installed. Additional accommodation would be provided if required by larger families by way of extra 10ft. by Bft. huts at a proportionate increase in the rent. The weekly rental would be from 15/-, according to the size of the hut. 1 Laundry, showers and sanitary conveniences would be on a communal basis.