MODERN FLATS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23202, 23 November 1938, Page 15

MODERN FLATS

GOVERNMENT VENTURE LARGE WELLINGTON BLOCK FIRST OF MULTIPLE-UNIT TYPE CONTRACT LET FOR THE WORK ■ t [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] ■WELLINGTON. Tuesday Advice has been received by Mr. R. McKmn, M.P. for Wellington South, that a contract has been let for the erection of a large block of flats for the Government Housing Department at Berhampore. "The area on which the block will be erected was purchased from the Education Department and is in an ideal situation for the purpose," said Mr. McKeen. "It is within easy reach of the city and is sunny, and the arrangement of the buildings will give shelter to a wide central court, one of the features of the design. "Originally, plans were drawn for 48 flats and 11 garages, but the final design provides for 50 flats and 11 garages. The accommodation will consist of varied units from, the living room and bed recess to a living room and one, two and three bedrooms." High Standard Set Designed on modern lines, with ample air and light for every flat, the block would set a new high standard for this type of housing, said Mr. McKeen, not merely for Wellington, but; for the Dominion as a whole, for although during the last thre3 or four years quite a number of flat buildings had been erected, none had been planned with such regard to open space and surroundings in lawn and garden. - Each flat had been designed on scientific lines as to sound-proofing, and each would give as great a degree of privacy as could be had in a single dwelling. The site is sufficiently far back from the main traffic route to give quietness, and is in close proximity to recreation grounds, within two minutes of the municipal golf links, and two tram sections from Courtenay Place. . Overcrowding in Wellington "This is the first of the department's multiple-unit ventures," Mr. McKeen added. "New Zealanders hare not yet accepted the idea of the multiple-unit plan so widely adopted overseas in the replanning of city areas and the extension of cities over new areas, butthe idea has not gained acceptance here, largely because flats in the past have not been scientifically planned, have lacked space about them, and have too often been rooms rather than dwellings, with little or no aesthetic effort in design and surroundings. "A recent report of the city engineer upon the housing situation in Wellington disclosed a disgraceful state > of affairs in overcrowding and the occupancy of insanitary and totally unsatisfactory tenements and rooms. He emphasised that a large proportion of Wellington's population was a rooming population, and he recommendedthat the speediest and most satisfactory solution of this problem would be the erection of multiple flats within easy access of the city. The Berhampore flats will adequately fulfil these requirements." ST. HELIERS CONTRACTS APPROVAL BY CABINET [BY TELEGRAPH —PRES3 ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The Parliamentary Under-Secretary in charge of Housing, Mr. J. A. Lee, announced to-day that the Cabinet had approved contracts for house construction being let to Mr. G. G. Pearce for six single-house units and one twohouse unit at St. Heliers. OBJECTION TO USE OP SITE HAMILTON DOMAIN LAND (.'FROM OUR OWN correspondent] , HAMILTON, Tuesday The possibility of more than 20 acres of domain land adjoining Hayes Paddock, Hamilton East, being taken by the Government Housing Department for the erection of State houses was the subject of comment at a meeting of the Hamilton East Ratepayers and . Citizens' Association last night. It was decided to notify the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, that * the association thought the allotments should not be used for housing unless land of equal value was set apart for recreation or at least the Government value of the land was paid to the Hamilton, Domain Board. It was" also resolved to ask the Domain Board to grant, at peppercorn rental for 10 years, two acres of domain land in Graham Street for tennis courts, bowling and croquet greens.