MUNICIPAL HOUSING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIVIII, Issue 17684, 20 January 1921, Page 8

MUNICIPAL HOUSING.

THE WELLINGTON SCHEME, One of the keenest problems dealt with during the year just closed, and one •which -will not be properly solved under present indications for some months to come is that of the housing shortage. In thia connection the Wellington City Council has for over a year had in hand a scheme which is in progress at Northland, whereby it hopes to afford some relief to the situation. A brief review of the headway made with the municipal housing operations during the year 1920 was made by the chairman of the housing committee, Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., in the course of an interview this week. " The council actually- embarked upon its scheme," said Mr. Wright, "on October 22, 1919, whon the first works were put in hand. The plans were drawn up by an official of the city engineer's department, the council having decided to erect up to 40 dwellings on land acquired for the purpose at Northland. Properties have alfio been secured in other localities, but so far our activities have been confined to only one of tie estates purchased. Up to the present operations have been carried out only on the Creswick Estate, which has been roaded and subdivided, and the following bouses have been erected and disposed of at the prices mentioned: — S Section 12 (4 rooms and conveniences) 1100 Section 11 (5 rooms and oonveniencea) 1300 Section § (5 rooms and conveniences) 1430 Section 10 (5 rooms and conveniences) 1530 Section 7 (5 rooms and conveniences) 1625 Section 8 (5 rooms and conveniences) 1720 Section 13 (4 room* and conveniences) 1505 Section 5 (6 rooms and convenience*) 1775 Section 15 <4 rooms end conveniences) 1165 " The Bection on which these dwellings have been erected havo frontages varying from 60ft. to 40ft., with an approximate average depth of 100 ft. Up to the present nine houses have been completed, and there are others in course of erection. All have been constructed with good material throughout. The foundations are of concrete. The usual conveniences have been nrovided in all cases. The houses are all connected with the water supply and drainage, and also have electric fight throughout, but gas is not yet available. Owing to the topography of the ground, the land on the ridge, which occupies the most commanding position, has been made to accommodate the larger and more expensive class of house. This has caused some comment among those interested in the scheme, and there have been objections raised at the comparatively high cost of those already erected, but I think it will be admitted by those who have been successful in the ballots tha£ they have got their full money's wortt There is good quality in the buildings, but there are many applicants, of course, whose means have been insufficient to allow them to compete. The intention of the council is, therefore, that the remainder of the dwellings shall be smaller in size and less expensive. One of theso hag already been erected and disposed of—that on section 15. These houses will necessarily be smaller, consisting of fftur rooms, but they will be comfortably arranged, and as in the case of the larger dwellings, an endeavour will be made to prevent a repetition of one style of architecture, so that no monotony in appearance or sameness will be noticeable. During 1920 we were up against many difficulties in the matter of labour and materials."