STATE HOUSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22845, 28 September 1937, Page 12

STATE HOUSES

CHAEGES FOE WATEE

COLLECTION FROM TENANTS THE DEPARTMENT'S DEMAND Objections to the State Housing Department being given concessions in regard to payment of water rates on tho new housing scheme nt Sturges estate were voiced by members at the Otalnihu Borough Council meeting last night. The Works Committee stated in a report that the engineer had been advised that the department expected the council to collect water rates and meter rents from the tenants of its new houses now under construction. ''ln view of the council's experience in collecting from such tenants," stated the report, "the committee recommended that negotiations be entered into with the department, with a view to having it pay the water charges." In the event of the negotiations being unsuccessful, the committee recommended that an arrangement be made for the department to pay for water on a flat rate, similar to that adopted in respect of the Railway Department houses. Mr. H. C. Littler said lio did not sen why the department should not be on the same footing as the private landlord, and be responsible for collccting its own water charges from tenants.

Air. A. Sinclair said he did not' approve of tho alternative. If that wcro conceded, then it should apply to tho whole borough. The Mayor, Mr. C. 11. l'ctrio, M.P., said the council was practically powerless. It could not refuse to supply water, and it had to mako the best arrangement possible to collect rates. His suggestion that the town clerk bo empowered to negotiate with tho department was adopted. • SCHEME FOR DARGAVILLE TENDERS SOON TO BE CALLED [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER - ] WELLINGTON. Monday A contract for the erection in Dargaville of 13 houses under tho Government's housing scheme will bo advertised in tho course of two or three days, according to a statement made this evening by the Parliamentary UnderSecretary in charge of tho Ministry of Housing, Mr. J. A. Lee. In conveying this information to tho Rt. Hon. J. G. Coatcs, tho member for tho district, Mr. Leo has expressed the liopo that Dargavillo builders will tender prices calculated to enable them to secure tho contract.