EXPANSION OF AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 40

EXPANSION OF AUCKLAND.

(Fkom Our. Owx Corr'esi'Oxdent.) AUCKLAND, April 8. Some little time ago a number of people •were inclined to view pessimistically the expansion and development which Auckland is undergoing. There was fear of "boom,' ! which would presently burst and leave us lamenting, but facts and figures indicate that there is no good reason for a pessimistic view of the situation. On the contrary, building progress is developing on sound lines, and nowhere is the Auckander confronted with the übiquitous " To let " sign staring out of cuxtainlese windows. On the contrary, statistics for the past financial year show that there is a healthy activity in building throughout the city and suburbs. Although the returns are in some cases incomplete, approximate figures show that on the whole there is but a slight decrease on the few previous years. It is a significant fact also that business premises erected during the last year bear a good ratio when considering the nature of "dwellings, which means that business is increasing in proportion to the increase of inhabitants. For residential purposes the outer suburbs are becoming still more popular. Practically all the dwellings are built of wood, while brick, or wood and iron, is quite as extensively employed for shops and business premises. The average class of dwellings w one containing five or eix rooms, and costing from £4OO to £SOO. A large number of estates were divided up during the year, especially in the Mount Eden Borough, which has expanded nearly as much as the city itself in building, and far more than any other suburb. The results in all the boroughs are not yet available, but since returns have been obtained from most of the larger ones a good idea is given of the general state of affairs. The amount totalled by the city and these boroughs reaches approximately about £150.000. The returns for the city proper are not vet complete, but as far as can be gathered there have been 1223 permits issued since April 1, 1911. far the erection or alteration of buildings, representing an expenditure of approximately £200,000.