STATE HOUSING AREA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 12

STATE HOUSING AREA

WONDERFUL SETTING 30 HOMES AT WHANGAREI FINE SCENIC BACKGROUND [BY TELEGRAt'H SPECIAL REPORTER] WHANGAREI, Friday The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R Semple, expressed justifiable pride to-day in the State housing area on the Dobbie Estate in Whangarei An area of 11 acres beneath the bush clad slopes of Parahaki Mountain was cheaply secured. About a quarter of it, running down to the bed of the Hate a Stream, was added to the scenic reserve and on the remainder some 30 houses, mostly in brick, have been erected The bushy background ot the settlement makes a wonderful setting for what shows every evidence of becoming a little garden suburb. The land is exceptionally Fertile and a number of old trees have been preserved "Yet,?' said Mr. Semple, "some people feared that wo would lay the foundations of a slum."

The Minister took the opportunity of viewing the waterfall on the Hatea Stream, a mile or two to the north, and the deep, bush-filled gorge below the waterfall pool. He expressed the emphatic opinion that this area should be acquired and added to the public scenic assets of the country.