HOUSING SURVEY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2670, 15 September 1937, Page 6

HOUSING SURVEY

THE PAEROA BOROUGH REPORT BY TOWN CLERK NEED FOR MORE BUILDINGS. JpOLLOWING is the text of the report on the recent Paeroa borough housing survey compiled by the town clerk, Mr R. S. Nicol, and received by the council on Thursday evening : I have to report that the housing survey has now been completed. One hundred and eighty dwellings containing 182 dwelling units have been surveyed. The investigator, Mr J. H. McCorquodale, is to be congratulated on the efficient and tactful manner in which he has carried out his duties. It is pleasing to note that not one single complaint has been received from an occupier of a dwelling regarding the manner in which the survey has been conducted. Also he has at all times given every assistance in supplying the additional information required for the statistical return.

The following is a summary of the conditions revealed by the survey: Fitness of Building. a. Satisfactory as complying with the defined general standard of fitness, 41, 22.8 per cent. b. Falling below the standard of fitness but capable at a reasonable cost of being brought up to that standard, 119, 66.1 per cent.

c. Falling below the said standard of fitness and not capable at reasonable expense of being brought up to that standard and which should therefore be demolished, 20, 11.1 per cent. Total number of buildings, 180.

The above figures may create a false impression unless the regulations are examined closely. To be classed as “satisfactory” a dwelling must be provided with sink, bath, water closet and laundry accommodation. Also the paths must be so constructed as to throw off surface water. In addition there are other requirements which have less bearing on the position revealed. It should be noted that of the 20 buildings classed as C, seven of them consist of premises used as combined shops and dwellings, where in all probability it was not originally intended that dwellings should be created.

Condition of Dwelling Unit. a. Satisfactory, 14, 7.7 per cent. b. Partly satisfactory, 130, 71.4 per cent. c. Unsatisfactory, 38, 20.9 per cent. Total number of buildings, 182.

To be classed as “satisfactory,” a dwelling must contain the following:

Sanitary Equipment—Washtub, basin, bath, water-closet pan and sink. In addition the following must be satisfactory: Domestic Equipment—Watersupply, food-storage, utensil storage, cooking and heating.

No standards have been laid down to determine what is to be classed as “partly satisfactory.” However, if a dwelling contained a reasonable percentage of satisfactory sanitary and domestic equipment it has been classed gs “partly satisfactory” under this heading. Minimum Accommodation of Dwelling Unit. a. Satisfactory, 88, 48.3 per cent. b. Unsatisfactory, 94, 51.7 per cent. Total number of buildings, 182.

To be classed as satisfactory under this heading a dwelling unit must contain the following : (a) Kitchen or other living room. (b) Bedroom or bedrooms according to the standards of number and space set out in regulations. (c) Bathroom. (d) Water-closet pan.

Overcrowding. Units overcrowded, 38, 20.9 per cent. Units satisfactory, 144. 79.1 per cent. Total number of buildings, 182. The extent of overcrowding ranged from i to 9b in one case.

. Generally speaking, the worst features revealed by the survey were the conditions in premises in the business area, used as combined shops and dwellings. It should be noted that be- i fore the survey was commenced, the. council was granted permission to

eliminate all those dwellings which they knew to conform to the standards laid down by the regulations. It was considered that 324 houses conformed to the required standards and that the remaining 180 houses should be surveyed. Commenting upon the report the Mayor, Mr Wm. Marshall, stated that it indicated the need for additional houses in Paeroa. There was-a number of bad ones in .the business area which were not intended to be used as dwellings but the occupiers were making shift with them. He had discussed the housing with Mr Jas. Thorn, M.P. for Thames, when he was in Wellington recently, added Mr Marshall, and Mr Thorn was doing all he could in 'the matter. A number of State Advances houses were being built in the town.