GREEN ISLAND HOUSING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23369, 8 December 1937, Page 14

GREEN ISLAND HOUSING

"AN ALARMING REPORT" GOVERNMENT TO ALLEVIATE SHORTAGE The report of the' inspector (Mr F D Gaffaney) on the housing survey of the Green Island Borough caused some surprise when it was presented at the monthly meeting of the council last night. The survey disclosed that out ot 609 houses in the borough 393- were in a satisfactory condition, 179 were unsatisfactory but repairable, and m 35 cases repairs were impracticable except at heavy cost. The two hotels were exempted from the survey. There were 68 houses in which there was overcrowding, the number of surplus persons being 115. It was noticeable, the report continued, that about 200 old-type houses were not supplied with satisfactory sanitary closets. Mr Gaffaney expressed surprise at the large number of good building sections available in the borough. , An intimation that the Government was willing to relieve overcrowding by instituting a housing scheme for Green Island was contained in a telegram received yesterday from Mr A. Campbell. M.P. for Chalmers. „ " I will be down early next week, Mi* Campbell advised, "and will come out to Green Island. The Under-secretary in Charge of Housing (Mr J. A. Lee) states that he will give instructions to acquire land in Green Island for Government housing if the council can assist when the department is looking for land." "The position is certainly alarming," said Cr W. Dickinson, commenting on the report. " There are nearly 50 houses unfit for occupation, and there are surprisingly few absolutely in order. lam certainly glad that the Government proposes to alleviate housing distress in the borough, for there certainly is overcrowding." Cr T. S. Tomkins, chairman of the Finance Committee, stated that he would be willing to give the Government every assistance in the matter of a housing scheme for Green Island.

The report of the housing inspector was received.