THE HOUSING SHORTAGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19260, 26 August 1924, Page 2

THE HOUSING SHORTAGE.

UTILISING HARBOUR BOARD RECLAMATIONS. CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE APPROACHES THE BOARD. Tho Standing Committee of the Harbour Board had before it yesterday afternoon a deputation from tho Sites and Works Committee of tho Citizens’ Housing Committee asking for certain information as to possible Harbour Board sites for a housing scheme. The deputation consisted of Mr 11. Mandeno (chairman of tho Sites and Works Committee). Mr W. E. S. Knight, Mr L. F. Evans, and Mr J. Gilchrist. Mr D. Larnach presided over tho Harbour Board meeting and there were, also present Messrs W. Wilkinson, J. Loudon, T. Anderson, J. 11. Walker, K. S. Ramsay, H. C. Campbell, A. Cable, T. 11. Russell, and J. M'Donald. Tho deputation was introduced by Mr M'Donald. Mr Mandeno, speaking on behalf of the Housing Committee, said the board was aware that tho question of housing was a very vital one. All the social workers of the city could confirm that. They had only to visit some of the right-of-ways about tho city to see tho absolute necessity for providing better housing. It was incontrovertible that better housing made for a better moral tone and for the uplift of the citizens. Whatever the cost the ultimate outcome would bo a saving in charitable aid and in other ways. Thev thought that to assist the community they ought to aim at erecting at least ICO houses, though they knew many more were needed. To bo of any use the houses must be erected cheaply, and they thought tho only way to secure that was’ by mass production. The policy of the Government loan# had had the effect of raising the price of houses. If they could geu suitable land and aim at erecting a fair number of houses—not all of one pattern—the cost could be limited. It was very difficult to find suitable sites, and the only ones they could find were on some of the Harbour Board reclamation. That was why tho deputation was there. They would like to find out what the position was. Thorn was a feeling that some of the ground opposite Logan Park would be suitable and available. They wished to know if tho board could in any way meet them in regard to rent. They had passed the following resolution at a meeting last Monday :—“That tho Harbour Board bo approached with a view to ascertaining something definite in regard to tho reclamation site—as to how many acres were available, how soon they could be utilised, and what tho annual rentals would be.” They asked for a reply as soon as possible, for they felt they would have to stay their hand till thev had the information desired.

Mr Evans said they did not come. begging, but they were making a business pro position. The houses required would have to bo built for from £6OO to £720, including land. There was any amount of land about Dunedin, some 400 acres of it suitable for building sites, hut most of these wore well away from the centre of the city, and that was an important point. The worker to-day could not afford to pay more than £l a week rent. The purchasing power of the workers’ wages affected every section of the commercial community. The site at I'clichet Bay was undoubtedly the best they had found for their purpose. The formation of Lagan Park was going to make that part an ideal residential area, and there was the Albany Street School on part of the site. It would bo a crime to put factories on that area. They believed that in 10 years’ time the Housing Board that would probably be established would be in a position to purchase these sites on a rental basis. The board would have a big say in the typo of houses and the whole plan adopted. They asked the board to consider the matter on a purely commercial ba-sis without any favour whatever. The population of Dunedin was increasing so rapidly that there was no possibility of providing the housing required. They had hoard that the Harbour Board was sympathetic with the housing scheme to the extent of £15,000. They did not want the board’s money. They wanted its land. Let the board invest its money in land. M.r Loudon said he took it the board was entirely sympathetic and would ask the engineer to go very carefully into all the available sites that the board had. He believed himself that the board should set aside the Pelichet Bay area for a residential suburb, and throw all the factories on to the southern endowment. He did not think the board could lease any of its lands at less than £lO for an eighth of an acre. The secretary and engineer should go into the matter and give a detailed report on all the land available. Mr Walker said he agreed with Mr Loudon that the engineer and secretary should submit a report. He believed every member was entirely sympathetic, thought it quite right that a residential area should be set aside at the north end. Mr Russell expressed the view that the deputation should take into consideration some of the suburbs where the land was much cheaper. It took less to keep a family in clothing and footwear out in the suburbs, and the whole family could live cheaper. They could not build in Dunedin without requiring rent of from £1 to £1 ss. ... . Mr M’Donald thanked the chairman for receiving the deputation. Ho said that unless the citizens of Dunedin did something it was a bad look out for the housing scheme for many years to come. T’lio Chairman assmrocl thf* d©pnLa.tion of the members’ sympathy. They would go carefully into the matter, but at the present f-.Srne things were very mixed between the Education Board and the City Council. They knew the matter was urgent, and thev would do what they could. After discussion the board decided to instruct the secretary and engineer to report on the sites in the board’s possession suitable for a housing scheme.