“Sheer Red Tape,” Says Councillor

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1939, Page 4

“Sheer Red Tape,” Says Councillor

“Sheer red tape!” This comment was made by Cr. J. W. Parkin last night when the Whangarei Borough Council received a further letter from the Director of Housing Construction regarding the housing survey carried out in Whangarei.

The survey, which was made by the council two years ago, at the request of the Government, has been the .‘subject of correspondence between the council and the Housing Construction Department for some time.

“Your survey showed that only 23 houses were incapable of economical repair, and that only 21 houses were overcrowded,” this latest letter stated.

“The net result was that the housing shortage in Whangarei was only 44.

Evidence Conflicting.

“The records of the State Advances Corporation, however, show that no fewer than 142 applications are still in hand for State rental houses, and 62 of these are classified as urgent.” It was difficult for the department to formulate its building policy in Whangarei in face of such conflicting evidence, the letter added. In the past two years, Whangarei had extended very rapidly, said Cr. Parkin.

Numerous Government Department employees and Public Works men had now been brought to Whangarei. If the department took this factor into consideration it would quickly see the solution of the difficulty. The matter is to be referred to the town clerk, Mr L. O. Hall, and the borough engineer, Mr I. A. Cromie, with a view to having the survey re-examined, and if necessary, revised.