WORKERS' DWELLINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3314, 19 September 1917, Page 7

WORKERS' DWELLINGS.

HIGH COST OF MATERIALS

WELLINGTON, September 12. A report presented to Parliament to-day states that the number o£ workers' dwellings erected during the year was 65. Owing to the largely increased cost of building material and. the difficulty experienced in obtaining tenders at a reasonable figure, it was found necessary considerably to curtail the programme which was laid down at the beginning of the year. In many instances the tenders received were so high as to be quite prohibitive, and it was deemed unwise in the interests of the applicants to accept them and erect the dwellings. Whereas two or three years ago a four-roojmed dwelling in wood cost about £360 and a five-roomed dwelling about £450, the cost of similar houses at tho present timo would be about £460 and £560 respectively, consequently only 28 dwellings were erected instead of 100, as arranged for in tho original programme. Since March 31 (in addition to 11 houses in course of erection at that date), arrangements have been made for tho erection of 12 more dwellings. Of these three are for Wellington. (Petone), three for Mastorton, four for New Plymouth, and two for Pn.tea.

The Workers' Dwellings Board has decided on a policy which lias for its object the assistinp: of purchasers who have joined the Expeditionary Forces and relieving them or their dependents of the payment of such portion of the instalment as i-opresents a repayment of principal and accepting a rent comprising only interest at the vutc of 5 per cent, on the balance of the purchase money owing at the' date of enlistment, together with "such an amount as will coyer the ; :;- surancc premium on the dwelling. This concession has been taken advantage of hy a number of purchasers, and has been much appreciated.