HOMELESS CARS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26980, 15 January 1949, Page 6

HOMELESS CARS

GARAGES BEING BUILT NUMBER QUITE INADEQUATE Since the lifting of the restrictions governing the construction of motor car garages on November 19 last, there has been a definite increase in the number of permits issued for their erection. For years past there have been between 7000 and 8000 homeless cars in Dunedin, and last year the figure was estimated at 7000. It appears inevitable that despite the removal of restrictions on the construction of garages the increase in the number of vehicles will offset any increased building programme. In October last six permits for garages were granted. In November the number increased to 11, and in December it was 15. These garages, however, will be far from enough to meet the city's needs The position was at its worst during 1944, when there were nearly 8000 cars in the city parked in all manner of places, many out on the streets. With car imports resumed, increasing numbers are going on to the roads, and the building programme cannot cope with the problem. Dunedin’s difficulty, in common with many other of the larger cities, is that there is no room to build garages, and the figures of recent permits issued indicate clearly that although the opportunity exists for people to erect them, they cannot do so because of lack of space. In the United States legislation now places the obligation upon the person erecting a new building to provide accommodation for one car for every three persons in it. Where extensive flat construction is carried out this is considered the only logical solution to the parking problem. It is understood that regulations of a similar nature affecting the parking of cars are being introduced in Auckland. As an indication of the tremendous leeway to be made up in Dunedin alone and the amount of material required to accomplish the task, it is estimated that if all cars in the city were properly housed it would require enough material to build 75 houses.