HOUSE SHORTAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22971, 24 February 1938, Page 14

HOUSE SHORTAGE

PROBLEM AT MANUREWA BOROUGH COUNCIL'S. ACTION A decision to send a deputation to confer with the Parliamentary UnderSecretary in charge of Housing Construction, Mr. J. A. Lee, with a view to obtaining assistance in the housing problem as affecting its own staff was reached at the Manurewa Borough Council meeting on Tuesday night. Mr. L. Butterwor£h asked if anything had been achieved in securing occupation of one of the council's own houses for the works foreman. The Mayor, Mr. W. J. Ferguson, said that Mr. Lee had been approached regarding the general housing problem and asked to consider building a number of homes to relieve the most acute local shortage. No information was yet available, although a block of land alongside the railway line had been offered. It was not possible under existing legislation for the council to secure the occupation of its own house. A report was submitted stating that the foreman, who had been in the council's service for nearly a year, was compelled to live in rooms. It was stated that there were 19 persons living in the bouse, which was not provided with facilities for such tenancy. "Wo have got to do something," said Mr. D. W. McNaughton, who suggested that urgent representations be made to the Housing Department. The Mayor and Mr. L. Butterworth were appointed a deputation to confer with Mr. Lee.

DELAY AT TE AWAMTTTtT TENDERS UNSATISFACTORY [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] TE AWAMUTU, Wednesday The recent criticism by the Mayor of Te Awamutu, Mr. G. Spinley, of the Government's delay in proceeding with the State housing scheme in Te Awamutu has been replied to by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Housing, Mr. J. A. Lee. Mr. Spinley complained that towns with smaller populations than Te Awamutu and with less acute house shortages had been getting the. benefits of the State housing scheme first, and he suggested that there had been unfair discrimination. Mr. Lee has replied stating that when tenders were called for houses at Te Awamutu the results were unsatisfactory. "The moment we get a satisfactory price from Te Awamutu, Te Awamutu can have its scheme," continued Mr. Leo. No one would be happier than those 111 charge of the State housing scheme when the response was as satisfactory as it had been in, for instance, Te Kuiti.