THE BUILDING FIGURES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23231, 28 December 1938, Page 8

THE BUILDING FIGURES

Buildings valued at more than £2J500,000 have been built or authorised in the Auckland metropolitan area during the year which is now drawing to a close. The figures published this morning are not complete, but they are sufficient to show that Auckland is still expanding, with the qualifying assumption that something is being done in the replacement of old and obsolete accommodation. In the city alone permits have been issued for buildings valued at close on £1,000,000, representing a notable increase of £130,906 for the year, while figures for 15 districts in the metropolitan area, including the city, show an advance of £153,315. The figures are made all the more significant by virtue of the fact that they do not take into account the colonies of dwellings which are being erected under the Government's housing scheme. Local body permits are not required for these buildings, but it is believed that their construction in the area comprising Greater Auckland has involved this year the expenditure of approximately £1,000,000. In many districts State housing activities have completely overshadowed private building, but in view of the fact that Mr. Lee and his colleagues are working on financial terms which are not available to anyone else, such a result L hardly surprising. The extent of Stato activities, however, makes it all the more desirable that some definite information should be given as to detailed costs. Taxpayers do not yet know whether they are receiving value for their money. But there is still room, apparently, for the man who wants his own home. Although the local body figures cover factories, shops and all classes of buildings, the proportion of dwellings shows that there are people who appreciate that "a home owned is better than a house rented."