STATE FLATS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24540, 24 March 1943, Page 2

STATE FLATS

NEW PAKNELL .BLOCK PRE-CAST (30NCRETE UNITS (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Taesday Pre-cast concrete units are to be ti Se( J in the construction of the block of .State flats inParnell, on which work has been commenced by the Housing Department. The Minister of Housing, the Hon. 11. Semple, said in an interview to-night that while this type of construction was being used to an increasing extent in Great Britain and America, this would be, to the department's knowledge, the first time it was used in building of this nature in New Zealand. "In conformity with the Government's policy of erecting hostel accommodation for the armed forces which will be of permanent value after the war, the Housing Department has designed a new hostel in Parncll so that a large part of the construction will be permanent in the form of 16 flats," said the Minister. "Because the site is within the City Council brick area, it is required that the permanent building shall be of fireproof construction. In this case reinforced concrete will bo used to facilitate rapid construction, and because of its repetition the department has designed the work in precast concrete units." Mr. Semple said that it would not be possible to develop the site completely until after the war and that alternative accommodation was being provided for the people already housed there. The total scheme included all the land bounded by Bedford Street, Parnell Pise and Gittos Street and provided for approximately 50 flats of varying sizes, which would prove * valuable addition to housing accommodation, being so close to the city. The site was previously owned by the Auckland Grammar School Board. By using permanent buildings adapted for wartime use, much of the waste associated with temporary buildings could be avoided, as well as making housing for the post-war demands more quickly available.