LOANS REFUSED

Southland Times, Issue 21000, 5 February 1930, Page 6

LOANS REFUSED

ADVANCES DEFERRED EMPTY HOUSES IN CITIES STATE DEPARTMENT’S ATTITUDE (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, February 4. The statement yesterday that owing to the number of empty houses in Auckland no further Government loans for building houses would be made until the situation improved, was published in consequence of the following letters received by Auckland solicitors (two clients) from the State Advances Deputy Superintendent: “With reference to the applications submitted on behalf of the above-named clients for loans to erect dwellings, I have to inform you that the matter has again been placed before the members of the board of this office, who have resolved to postpone consideration of the application for the present. I would like to explain that the housing position in Auckland is not at present considered satisfactory, inasmuch as there are a good many empty houses to be found about the city. In the circumstances the members of the board don’t consider it advisable or expedient to grant any further loans for the building of more dwelling-, houses just now in Auckland. As soon as the situation improves, and it is found that there are no unoccupied buildings in the city, and that further dwellings are required, your clients may renew their applications, when the matter will receive further consideration.” POSITION IN DUNEDIN MOST DWELLINGS OCCUPIED. Dunedin, February 4. The statement that the State Advances Department has stopped, for the time being, granting of loans for the building of homes in Auckland owing to the number of empty houses there, is not likely to foreshadow a similar cessation in Dunedin as the same reason does not exist. “Spec” building in and about the city has come pretty well to a standstill, and most of the dwellings built for sale are occupied, many of them being recently sold. Eligible dwellings of four or five rooms readily find tenants. A leading agency firm reports that there are very few empty houses here, even old fashioned ones, if in good repair, being in demand except those of nine and ten rooms. Further, it is understood that in Dunedin there has been of late no undue delay in the granting of loans applied for. Applicants are not now being told that theft will have to possess their souls in patience.