SUBURBAN BUILDING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22231, 4 October 1935, Page 14

SUBURBAN BUILDING

'ACTIVITY IN BOROUGHS - r _ IMPROVEMENT OVER 1934 MANY 'NEW DWELLINGS r . n Tho increased building activity, p ar . ! ticularly in houses, which has occurred in Auckland City during the present year has been experienced in like de. gree by the suburban boroughs. According to details obtained from nine boroughs yesterday an improvement hn» taken placo in eight cases, whilo in ; several the value of permits for the nine-monthly period ended September 30, 1935, is double or treble that for the corresponding period of 1934. all the boroughs the view is held by officials that there is every indication that tho improvement will continue. In the Mount Albert Borough per. mits issued during the nine month ended September 30, 1935, were fc t buildings valued at £42,654, compared with £19,953 for the corresponding period last year. The 19.35 total in. eludes £22,102 for 43 houses, while in tho nine months last year the value of 14 houses was £5925* The fact that the total number of permits for tb» . present year- is only 41 more than last year, 191 as against 150, indicates that the average value of contracts has been considerably greater this year, laat year's operations being confined to alterations and additions, rather tliaa to new premises. New dwellings at Mount Albert bar# been mostly bungalows of average size, valued at between £SOO and £6OO. There has been a good deal of commercial building, including two large : additions to existing factories.- No flat* have been erected, however. • Progress at One Tree Hill . Ouo Tree Hill also shows marked progress over year. The value of , permits for the nine months of the present year is assessed at £34,500,' compared with £16,100 last year, about half the total in each case being fa houses. During 1935 the average val» of houses erected within the boroisgb is estimated to bo in the vicinity <| £BOO. The outlook for the next fcr months, at least, is reported to be very bright, for many inquiries from proßpective builders have been received at the borough offices. Many sections are stated to bo changing hands. Permits issued by the Newmarket Borough Council this year are to the value of £11,809, compared with £2IBO in the same 1934 period. In this borough, however, there are few sections available for dwellings and most of - the building ha 3 been confined to flats and industrial premises. Several large structures are reported to be projected. At Onehunga the 1935 permits to date are assessed at £24,366, compared with £6375 in the 1934 period. A total of 27 houses have been built or commenced this year, as against seven frosi January to September last year. There have been two large alterations to industrial premises this year, but no flats have been built. Mount Eden returns also show a remarkable improvement over last year During 1935 a total of 170 permit* have been issued for buildings to the value of £48,061, compared with 129 permits to the value of £21,264 in thp corresponding period of 1934. This year'i totals include permits for 29 houses valued at £20,064, while in the nino months of last year there were 20 houses assessed at £14,214. Permits in other categories during 1935 include one for a block of 18 flats and another for a new picture theatre. The erection" of a second substantial block of flats will probably take place in the next few months. Horth Shore Activities With the exception of Birkenhead,' the North Shore boroughs have also experienced greater building activity. • j Construction at Birkenhead in the nine months last year was valued at jost over £3OOO, while this year it is slightly I below the £3OOO mark. At Northcote, however, building is said to hxn doubled. Several houses are in course of construction, two blocks of flats we' planned, and there are good prospects for the future. During 1935 up to the present time permits issued by the Devonport Borough Council represent a value of £19,560, compared with £9682 in the corresponding 1934 period. Last year in the nine months permits for only two dwellings were issued, but this year there have been 18, and at least sis more houses are contemplated. Most or tho houses are stated to be of good type. The erection of a number of blocks of flats is also in prospect. The value of Takapuna permits orer the nine months of 1935 has reached £15,175, compared with £12,844 in the first nine months of last year. Permits for 16 houses have been issued this year, as against 10 in the 1934 period. A good class of dwelling is being erected at present and there aro prospects of Beveral more being erected in the near future. A number of flats are also being built.