USE AS FLATS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25157, 21 March 1945, Page 6

USE AS FLATS

PABNELL RISE HOSTEL EXPLANATION OF DELAY Work will be commenced in the immediate future to Convert the hostel in Parnell Rise, opposite the Government training centre, into flats. It is the intention to reserve these flats for wives and families of returned men undergoing training at the rehabilitation carpentry centre and of disabled men who are also using the buildings as a temporary home until the new vocational training centre is erected in Horopito Street, Mount Eden. A contributor to the Herald, who signed herself, "An Ex-Serviceman's Homeless Wife," raised the question of the non-use of this hostel, which was originally, occupied by the R.N.Z.A.F. when it was using the buildings opposite as the No. 1 Port Depot. She stated that it was now nearly six months since the depot was taken over for rehabilitation purposes and the flats still remaineu unoccupied. "In spite of the urgent need for housing, the means of furnishing at least 16 ex-servicemen with decent living conditions still remains pigeonholed," continued the letter. "There are eight ground floor, and, apparently, eight upper floor flats. At the present time the front gardens are knee-high in grass, windows are broken and the whole block, so aptly suited to conversion, is being neglected and allowed to become the beginnings of a slum." An explanation of the delay was given yesterday by an official, who stated that the Air tforce were still removing some of their gear from the hostel. The block had to pass through the War Assets Realisation Board, which had called tenders for the removal of kitchens and drying rooms. This work was now proceeding at the hack of the block. Considerable negotiations were involved and the shortage of labour had delayed matters somewhat. However, the contractor would be starting almost immediately to convert the block from a hostel to flats, and the work would be pressed as fast as possible.