Housing Shortage Persists At Kaitaia

Northern Advocate, 16 September 1941, Page 3

Housing Shortage Persists At Kaitaia

Mr. P. Webber (Worth and Webber) favoured with fairly good weather has made a good start with the erection of three houses at Kaitaia for the power board. The situation of the houses is. for Kaitaia, ideal. On a hill well above the level ,of the flat country, with good drainage, I they will have the further advantage of being very close to the business centre. The benefits derivable from the suspension bridge across the river, connecting Bank Street with an area becoming more and more populous on the western side of the stream, are becoming more apparent every clay and the bridge is now regarded as a sound enterprise for the town board. New Business Area Another dwelling house is being built in Bank Street, almost within the business area, by Messrs. Gearcl and Stensness. for Mr. Ivan Posinkovich, of Herekino. This is the second house to be built by Mr. Posinkovich in the same locality which is already regarded as suited to the purposes of certain kinds of business and will undoubtedly come into the area of general business activities later on. The effect of the war is noticeable in the closed doors of some business premises. An Auckland grocery firm which had been conducting business in one of the best shops has closed down at Kaitaia and the shop continues vacant. The ’’Silver Grid” restaurant has been closed for some months and now Treacher’s boardinghouse has been closed. There remain only two public boardinghouses in the town. Improvements to Hotel It is expected that the improvemenst to the Kaitaia Hotel, for which tenders have been invited, will soon be taken in hand. When this work is completed the provision for the travelling public should be adequate, but the ordinary local boarder who cannot afford to pay at the rate of hotel tariff's will be no better off. The housing shortage, notwithstanding the State houses, seems to be as acute as ever. The requirements of the power board staff and other families who have recently taken up their abode in the town have exceeded the additional provision made. A number of the existing Statehouses are occupied by comparative newcomers.

Though a contract has been let to Messrs. Worth and Webber for the erection of nine new State houses it will be a long time before these are available for use.