WORKERS' HOUSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22818, 27 August 1937, Page 14

WORKERS' HOUSES

NO FURTHER PROGRESS LABOUR SHORTAGE QUESTION REPORT BACK TO COMMITTEE Differences of opinion among councillors regarding the proposed erection of 34' workers' dwellings for letting pur-poses-on council property in Grey Lynn; PonsOnby and Morningside, resulted in the scheme being referred back to tho Property Committee for the third time when it camo before tho City Council last night. Tho Hon. F. E. Lark, M.L.C., who moved that the recommendations be referred back to the committee, said his reason was that they had not been altered. Tho Government was hardpressed for tradesmen. "I object to the recommendations being referred back to the committee," said the Hon. T. Bloodworth, M.L.C. "Tliey have been referred back twice already, and there is no reason for further delay. It is not true that there is a great shortage of tradesmen. If' that is true, wo should not grant a permit to ' anyone to build until tho Government houses are completed. Nobody can claim that the building the Government- is doing has absorbed all tho men available." Preparations for Scheme Mr. Bloodworth said the committee's proposals were definitely designed to give work to that large body of men whose life work was in the building industry. These men were unemployed at the present time, because of tho system under which the erection of Government houses was carried out. Mr. E. J. Phclan claimed that there was a shortage of labour, and said the council had made pledges to build by day labour, but tho scheme made other provision. The deputy-mayor, tho Hon. 13. Martin, M.L.C., said tho council had carried out its pledges to the extent nf arranging to borrow £200,000 for housing, while plans and sites had been obtained. The council had gone ahead until tho Government had come into the field, and said it was going to build the houses. Houses for Old People "As far as tho old people are concerned," tho Town-planning Committee brought down plans for the erection of dwellings, but 110 legislation existed authorising the council to build houses for nnybodv except workers," said Mr Martin. "The Government has promised, however;- that in the coming session legislation will be 'put through to enable the council to buikl homos for other than workers." The council then decided to refer the recommendations to the committee.

PERFORMING RIGHTS

PAYMENT OF FEES HALLS OWNED BY COUNCIL The payment of performing right fees for concerts given in the Town Hall and concert chamber and the Avondale Town Hall, was the subject of a report to the City Council last night by the town clerk, Mr. J. Melling, who recom-

mended that in future tho performing fee, which is 5 ]3er cent of the hiring fee, should be borno by the hirer of the council's halls where music is played. In reporting that the payments for the year ended June 30, 1937, wero now due, Mr. Melling stated that it would be necessary for £26 to be remitted to the Australasian Performing Right Association, Limited, at once. It might also be necessary to pay on other hirings which might be considered to come within the scope of the agreement. In addition to this he had also refrained from including amounts totalling £305 in those cases where the finance committee had agreed to charge only out-of-pocket expenses. If it was considered that these hirings came within tho purview of tho agreement, the amount would be raised to £l2l. The town clerk's recommendation was adopted.

WATER SUPPLY TESTING OF PRESSURES NECESSITY FOR NEW MAINS The testing of pressures and flows in the water main reticulation of the city, which is now being carried out in several districts, was the subject of an interim report by the waterworks engineer, Mr. A. D. Mead, to the City Council last nifilit. Mr. Mead stated that work was<»begun last November in Parnell, and to date the Ponsonby ; Grey Lynn, Arch hi 11 and Point Chevalier"districts had also been covered. The superintendent of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board had advised that the minimum flow which could be considered effective in ordinary suburban residential areas with detached dwellings was 200 gallons a minute, while a great deal more was necessary in commercial areas. Summaries of the results obtained in the city area showed that in Parnell there were 401 fireplugs, of which 186 gave readings below 200 gallons a minute. In Herne Bay between Jervois Road and the waterfront six plugs were deficient out of a total of 113. Of 105 plugs in Newton from Karangahape Road to Newton Road 33 were deficient, while 31 out of 249 in Grey Lynn from Great North Road to Richmond Road were deficient. Mr. Mead stated that larger feeder mains to certain areas of the city were necessary to maintain a satisfactory pressure in times of maximum demand. "At this stage I am prepared to say that two new trunk mains from Ponsonby Reservoir, one toward the waterfront, probably yia the proposed Nelson Street extension, and one running westward. are required," he stated. "Also needed are one from the Khyber Pass Reservoir down Symonds Street toward the city, and one to Parnell." APPRENTICES ENGAGED The comparative shortage of apprentices in the building trade was stressed by the secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners in a letter received by the City Council last night, suggesting that the council could set an example to private employers by engaging its quota of apprentices. The council decided to engage one ordinary apprentice and ono adult apprentice in its workshops.