WORKERS' DWELLINGS FOR NELSON.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13412, 9 May 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

WORKERS' DWELLINGS FOR NELSON.

INSPECTION OF VARIOUS SITES

(From "Tli© Colonist," May 7.) The Hon George Laurenson, Minister for Lal>ou,r, who came to Nelson specially at tho request of Mr Harry Atmore, M.P., for tho purpose, inspected tho various sites that have boon offered tho Labour Department for the erection of workers' dwellings. Tho Minister was accompanied by Mr Atmore, Mr R. T. Sadd (Commissioner of Crown Lands), and Mr S. Tyson (Inspector of Factories).

Having looked at the former sito of tho Old People's Home in Waimoa street, the Minister inspected tho property in Ngatitama street, near the Mental Hospital, offered by Mr D. N. Hood. This comprised 7 acres, and after providing for a road through the centre, would provide thirty odd sections, costing about £65 a section. Tho next sito visited was that owned by Mr T Pettit, in Kawhai street, near thoHospital. This occupies some 2b acres and oould be subdivided into 16 sections, at about £67 a section. Mr J..Baker's property in Waimea road, on which is erected a dwelling house- and three glass houses, was next visited, but tho offer had not been mado in time for the site to be subdivided. Then Mr P. Jamieson's property in. Vanguard streetwas visited. This would provide nine sections, and would work out at about £87 a section. From there the partyproceeded to inspect seven acres between Kawhai street and Mount street, which had already been subdivided for sale, tho price 3 for each .section varying according to the position. The lastsite visited was that in Trafalgar streetnorth, owned by Mr W. Arnold. This comprised 3] acres, and could bo divided into about 23 sections, costing about £70 a section.

The Minister expressed himself as very pleased with most of tho properties offered.

Mr Atmore suggested that as tho menwero going to pay tho total cost of tluv purchase of tho land and tho erection of the dwellings, with interest, and that as in the scheme thoy had tho right to select the class of house they would like to hvo in, it would be only reasonable that they should select the site, they would prefer to bo purchased Mr Atmore further suggested that a meeting of applicants and intending applicants should bo held, and tako a ballot on tho sites offered.

Tho Minister readily agreed to tho suggestion, and upon boing askod by Mr Atmore to have the matter fixed up a ,s quickly as possible, replied that within a few days of the time ho received information that a decision as to the site had been arrived at, tho matter of tho purchase would be attended to. Mr Atmore intends to call a meetm--for to-morrow evening at tho Council Chjymfacrs, when tho ballot will betaken.