HUTS AND HOUSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25660, 7 October 1944, Page 6

HUTS AND HOUSES

FARM ACCOMMODATION \ GOVERNMENT’S SCHEME (F.0.P.R.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 6. Proposals for both temporary and permanent accommodation on farms to house additional labour were outlined by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr B. Roberts, to-night. “At the present critical stage of the war,” said the Minister, “New Zealand’s contribution to the food resources of the United Nations represents a major portion of her war effort. Many farmers may find difficulty in employing additional men owing to the lack of suitable housing, and obviously we cannot allow factors such as these to nullify the scheme. Hire or Purchase

“In order to keep down costs and to permit the erection of the necessary buildings in the shortest possible time, it is proposed to utilise surplus army buildings for temporary accommodation Two types of hutments suitable for single men are offered, and these may be either hired or purchased. Thev are lined and provided with suitable heating, and will be equipped with rain-water tanks if a connection to an existing water supply is not availab “A 10 feet by 8 feet hut suitable for a single man may be hired at a rent of 25s per quarter, or purchased for £4O. A 20 feet by 8 feet hut suitable for two single men is also available, the rent being £2 per quarter and the purchase price £6O. ... . . “In addition,” said the Minister, “temporary quarters for married men are available for hiring only. These comprise a bedroom, kitchen, living room, and combined bathroom and laundry the overall measurements of the building being 40 feet by 8 feet. The fittings include a cooking stove sink and bench, copper, tubs and bath, and the rent is £5 per quarter. The build ings will be transported to and erected on the farm by the Housing Construction Department without any additional charge to the farmer. Permanent Homes “ Two standard types of permanent homes for farm workers have, been designed, and they can be supplied t thl farmer at a most reasonable cost. The larger type comprises two bedJooms fliving room klt S ien JSfe room, and laundry. In the smal er type the living room and kitchen are combined in one r op m - Bo }h.,?“ 01 4 scope for expansion b 7 two extra rooms at a later date, iney are complete and will be supplied ready for occupation. ' “The purchase price of these homes may either be paid in cash or, if the farmer is unable to arrange, the necessary finance either from his own resources or through his existing mortgagee, the State Advances Corporation may in approved cases make finance available on table mortgage at 4J per cent where there us a mortgage. The approval of a primary production council is however, necessary before the supply of a house can be authorised, thereby ensuring that only where extra accommodation is necessary on a farm as a measure of assistance .in the scheme for increasing production will this machinery be used. ... 1 , ‘‘The new scheme is not intended to replace the existing procedure under the Rural Housing Act. and is being made available purely to meet the present emergency. Accordingly the Government’s offer is open only until November 30 next. “ Huts of the 10ft by Bft and 20ft by Bft sizes may, if desired, be purchased direct from the War Assets Realisation Board as they stand,” the Minister concluded. “They are sold ex camps, the farmer making his own arrangements for delivery and erection. The prices are £25 and £SO respectively.