THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13234, 20 July 1906, Page 6

THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

AUCKLAND'S MUNICIPAL

MOVEMENT.

SUGGESTED SITE AT RICHMOND.

In* reporting on the (question of workmen's dwellings at last night's meeting of the City Council, the Finance Committee stated that the -matter had been deferred

for a month, and that the Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers) had undertaken to collect information on the subject in the meantime.

Air. R. Farrell suggested that as the Council "was about to erect new abattoirs, the site of the present abattoirs at Richmond, comprising 43 acres, might be utilised in connection with the erection of worker*' dwellings. He thought this property was more suitable than any other that Had been suggested. The trams already ran nearly up to the ; property, and in time they would no doubt go all round it. The land was free from rock, and as a great proportion of the population of Grey Lynn consisted of working men, the site would be in every way suitanle.

Mr. J. Court: What about the Government House Grounds? (Laughter.)

Mr. C. J. Parr, said the scheme was an important one, and he hoped its success would not be jeopardised by differences on the question of sitf>. He was sorry to see Mr. Farrell vacillating on the question. At the last meeting he had suggested the Metropolitan Grounds, but he had now removed his fancy to the neighbourhood of the Western Springs. Mr. Farrell: lam in earnest this time.

Mr. Parr I have heard it .stated that Mr. Farrell intends to stand for that constituency at the next general election, and there may be something in that'. (Laughter.) v ' ■ The Mayor said that the site mentioned by Mr. Farrell had already been under consideration. He did not wish to make a lengthy statement on the subject that night, as the matter had been deferred for a month. At the end of that time he hoped to be able to make a statement that would be satisfactory to the Council. The Council was quite in. earnest in this; matter, and he hoped that • before, long the scheme would become an accomplished fact, The principal object was to afford workers' homes at reasonable rentals, within an easy distance of , town, and he thought it was only a question 'of time when the Council would become big landlords. . The site suggested by Mr. Farrell was no doubt a good one, but he thought that the erection of dwellings nearer town should be- considered first. The report of the committee was adopted. . .