PENSIONERS’ HOMES

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1939, Page 4

PENSIONERS’ HOMES

AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, August 24. :■ Delighted with their new homes, 15 i elderly couples took up residence yes- - terday in the Christchurch City Couni cil’s new houses for pensioners in 1 Barnett Avenue, Sydenham. This oc- - cupation marks the completion of the 1 council’s first step toward solving the ■ problem of housing the aged and the ■ indigent; in little more than two months there will be accommodation, ' in ' Barnett Avenue and Willard Street, for .36 married couples and six single pensioners. The buildings at Barnett Avenue, with a fine outlook over Sydenham Park, provide accommodation for 16 couples, but one of the units will not be occupied until after the official | opening of the houses by the Mayor , (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) on Sat-, urday morning. This unit will be open Ito inspection by the general publicI after the ceremony. The Christchurch City Council had a very large number of applications for the new houses, and all applicants were interviewed personally by representatives of the council before the tenants were selected. Those who were passed over on this occasion whi be considered again when me Willaid Street houses are ready for use. The Chief City Inspector (Mr J. i Huggins), who has had the task of i seeing to the installation and the comfort of the tenants, yesterday expressed appreciation of the many gifts which have been received from wellwishers. He referred especially to the lady editor of “The Press” and Miss M. G. Havelaar, and to an anonymous donor of six splendid fireside armchairs. “Many of these people had only the barest necessaries of furniture, and they are extraordinarily grateful to those who have worked to ensure their comfort in their new homes," said Mr. Huggins. He added that wellwishers could still help, especially in the direction of providing floor-cover-ings in some of the houses.