BUILDING COSTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25053, 17 November 1944, Page 7

BUILDING COSTS

BOEOUGH COTTAGES PURCHASE PRI.CE ISSUE (0.C.) HAMILTON, Thursday Building costs were discussed in detail at a sitting of the South Auckland Land Sales Committee today, when the Hamilton Borough Council sought confirmation of its sale of three cottages it built in Massey Street, Frankton. Mr Swarbrick, in support of the application, said the council had sold the cottages for £B3l, the actual cost the council had incurred. Repayment of principal and interest was being made at 30s a week, the period being governed by the amount of the deposit. Interest was 3 per cent, compared with the Government's charge on rural cottages of 4J per cent. The terms were extremely favourable. Mr Swarbrick said the question should be decided whether local bodies should erect dwellings and should be entitled to receive the bare cost from the people to whom they sold them, irrespective of what the costs were in relation to 1942 standards. Evidence was given that the prices quoted .for tho cottages were on the basis of an order for 50. Only three were ordered, but the price, £6.57 each, was adhered to. Many extras were added, which, with legal costs, brought the sale price up to £B3l. In stating that 'the committee would reserve its decision, the chairman, Mr N. A. Ching, said that very careful consideration would be given tr> the matter. The main problem would be to decide whether in justice to everyone the price required by the council should be sustained. The evidence had shown quite clearlv, Mr Ching continued, that there was no doubt that the costs as stated by the contractors had been incurred, but it

was doubtful whether the purchasers had received full value for their monev, although the workmanship seemed fairly good. The chairman agreed that the contractors had done their best, but he said that obviously building costs were beyond their control, and he considered that there should be an extensive inquiry made into the costs and expenses of sub-contracts under present conditions as brought out by the evidence. It appeared that building was almost an impossibility, which indicated that the country had reached a dead end as-tar as solving the housing problem was concerned. CAMP PROPOSAL FOR NORTHLAND USE OF MILITARY HOSPITAL (0.C.) WHANCAREI, Thursday The King George V. Memorial l'und Hoard proposes to take over the military hospital buildings at Maunti, near Whangarei, and to equip them as a temporary children's health camp for North Auckland. This information was received by the Northland District Health Camp Executive at a meeting in Whangarei today. The buildings are suitable for the purpose, but the executive considers that the site, although elevated and suitable for hospital purposes, is not ideal for a children's health camp. It is felt that the camp should be on the coa.st. f In this view the board has concurred. The Maunu establishment is to be considered as temporary and a site at the seaside suitable for a permanent camp is to bo secured.