MUNICIPAL HOUSING SCHEME.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 January 1922, Page 3

MUNICIPAL HOUSING SCHEME.

SHANNON BOROUGH MAKES A MOVtf. .

During the Borough Council meeting on Tuesday evening, Cr. Hyde Slated that he had been compelled to turn down no less than nine applications from outside families recently owing to their being no houses to let to them. It was a serious position, for although plenty of work was offering there was no accommodation for the families. “I want to ask if the Council will get* plans of suitable cottages,” said Cr Hyde, “and call lenders, so that w : o can see what hall a dozen houses will cost. I believe they can be built for £6OO or £6so— conveniences. I.and can be got reasonably cheap on good sites, and the cost of house ami ground should not run beyond £7OO completed.” Cr. Hyde added that money could be got for >k\ per cent, and with 1 per cent sinking fund, the Council could charge six per cent on it and then would still be \ per cent to the good He thought if the tenants or purchasers paid a. £lO deposit, and 'he balance at so much per week, there would be no cost, on the borough or ratepayers. The Council, however, could do nothing until it got an idea of the cost by calling tenders on'the lines be had suggested. “This towm Is never going to go ahead unless we can get more houses,” Cr. Hyde concluded.

Cr. Butt; Is your idea to get an acre and build tiie six collages on it?

Cr. Hyde: Yes; the borough will allow a cottage lo be erected on oncsixlh of an acre.

The Mayor: If Cr. Hyde’s figures are correct, the cost lo the families who take up the houses will be about £1 per week. Cr. Butt: These houses will be for sale, 1 Like it; not to let? Cr. Hyde: Yes.

Cr. Richardson doubted if anyone would pay £1 per week for a lourrootned house.

C.r Hyde; They are paying it. Cr. Murray: And for 'novels at that. The Mayor: We want more than £lO down.

Cr. Hyde: Thai is only a suggestion. Cr. Hyde pointed out that whatever the deposit—hut it should be made reasonably light—(lie purchaser became (he responsible person in the transaction. In the event of anyone throwing up a bouse, the Council would lose nothing.

The Mayor insisted that (he Council want Id have to have a larger deposit than £lO, as a lot of value would be knocked off by careless tenants.

Cr. Murray regarded (fie suggestion as a forward move, and one for the betterment of Shannon. He believed if thirly up-to-date houses were available in Shannon to-morrow they would be occupied and present

The Mayor stated that a scheme similar to tin's was mooted in Shannon three years ago, and was submitted to the workers’ union and oilier local institutions and was not taken up. Cr. Hyde: I could place six approved families in up-to-date dwellings tomorrow if the dwellings were available. If I could borrow money at U. per cent 1 would fake up the scheme myself to-morrow. The Mayor said he would not favour Hie scheme unless there was a deposit of not less than £SO. Cr. Unit; I am positive you could sell them all at a £SO deposit. The Mayor: If the Council authorises me to negotiate with Mr Newman in regard to getting the finance from the Government I will do so. Cr. Hyde: We want to find out what these cottages will cost first, and then we will know what to apply for.

It was finally decided, on the motion of Crs. Hyde and Murray, to communicate with Mr Newman with a view to ascertaining if it were possible to get a sum of money from the Government at. the present time for the erection of cottages on the lines suggested.