FAMILIES IN TENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22836, 17 September 1937, Page 10

FAMILIES IN TENTS

SHORTAGE OF HOUSES CONCERN AT TE AWAMUTU CANVAS HOMES IN PARK [from our own correspondent] TE AWAMUTU, Thursday Concern at the shortage of house» in Te Awamutu was voiced at a meeting of the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce, the, president, Mr. W. Jef. fery, remarking that thfe State Housing Department appeared to be ignoring the town in-favour of other centres. The secretary-manager of the Ta Awainutu Electric-Power Board, Mr. D. McArthur, emphasised the seriousness of the position, and said that his board was wanting to employ married men, but was unable to get them to accept positions because no houses were available. A member said that there were at least eight families living wider canvas at Selwyn Park because they could not get houses, while lodging was practically unobtainable by permanent boarders. In several instances men had left the town because they were uii« able to get homes or lodgings.

It was stated that three dozen houses would not meet requirements. The housing shortage was. also acute on farms all over the district. Mr. A. T. Bryant remarked that the Farmers' Union was asking that the same facilities for borrowing to build homes in town should be made' available for farms, but tie chief difficulty, appeared to be the mortgage on farms. -- Mr. D. Bockett stated that the Housing Department's officers had been negotiating to .purchase land in Te Awamutu, but no finality had been reached. It was decided to refer tho matter to the council of tho chamber with power to act.