Hastings State Houses

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 49, 28 February 1938, Page 2

Hastings State Houses

% BALLOT AT WELLINGTON

From Our Own Correspondent. HASTINGS, Feb. 26. i “Ax far as I can ascertain the first oi the Government houses will be occupied •about the end of next month,” said Mr :E. L. Cullen. M.P.. this morning when questipned regarding the tenacy of the ‘State houses being erected in Hastings. Mr Cullen explained that the question of who will be the occupiers rests upon a ballot to be taken by the State Advance* Office, who are handling a»J the arrangements. The ballot will be taken in Wellington, but as yet he has not been advised as to the date of the ballot. Personally, he was doubtful whether he would be officially informed until after the ballot, for the reason that it was purely a matter of routine as far as the State Advances Office was concerned. “As far as I can make out, between 400 and 450 people have made applications for houses.” he said in reply io a uery. “It would be ridiculous to suggest, however, that there is such a shortage of houses in Hastings as that figure would indicate,” he added. “I know that there are a large number of people who have forwarded applications, but have no reason as far as 1 can see at any rate, for wanting to make a change. Still, that is their affair, and all I know is that between 403 and 450 people put in for the houses; but. as I have said before, there is nothing like that shortage of houses ini Hastings.”