PATEA BUILDING SCHEME

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1934, Page 9

PATEA BUILDING SCHEME

BOROUGH COUNCIL MOVING SECTIONS AT NOMINAL FIGURE. SALES OF BOROUGH RESERVES. FILLIP TO BUSINESS OF TOWN. Central building sections in Patea are to be sold by the borough council at £1 each according to a decision made last night. The object of the scheme is to encourage the building of homes in the town and overtake the present housing shortage which is expected to become more acute with renewed activity at the freezing works. The council considered that it would derive more, revenue, directly and indirectly, through this step, than by leasing available reserves for other than building purposes. Rates, increased use of electricity, and better business- in the town were mentioned. The scheme was drawn up by the town clerk, Mr. L. W. Austin, who stated that it had been known for many, years that the number of dwelling houses in Patea was insufficient to meet the demand and the contemplated extensions to the freezing works should create an even greater demand. As the greatest asset to any community was the man owning his own house, it should be the desire of every municipality to help as many men as possible to achieve this object.

For a considerable time he has had a scheme in mind which would not only dispose of some of the council’s useless reserves but would add to the revenue of the borough as well as enabling those who so desire to build a home for themselves. Under the council’s private Act, the council was empowered to dispose of various reserves “at such prices and upon such terms” as it thought fit. Quite a number of reserves were unused and others were producing no revenue at all. He would recommend, therefore, that the council dispose of all or any of the sections at a nominal figure (say £1) upon such of the conditions set out as the council thought fit. ROOM FOR 15 HOUSES. Should the scheme meet with success, Mr. Austin continued, further sections now leased could be offered as the leases expire. There was room for at least 15 houses and these wouM make a fine addition to the town as well as bringing in added revenue. As an illustration of the increased revenue accruing through house building, he referred the council to the case of the block bounded by Egmont, Rutland, Middlesex and Surrey Streets. Some years ago this block paid £2 for rent and 12s in rates. After the council sold the sections, some eight houses were erected with the consequence that to-day the annual revenue from the same block amounted to no less than £147 19s made up as follows: ■ Rates paid, £BB 14s 9d; electricity supplied, £59 4s 3d. The sale of electricity was a factor which should not be overlooked when giving consideration to the proposal. The following were the conditions of sale recommended for consideration by the council: A house to the value of not less than £350 to be erected on the section not later than 12 months after the sale; any mortgage shall not be to the Crown or to any department of the Government (the Public Trustee excepted); plans to be approved by the council as to design etc.; the house to be wired for the supply of electricity. In his opinion, Mr. Austin concluded, this would be an excellent gesture on the part of the council and would in some measure carry out the Government’s wishes that local bodies should commence schemes for the housing of inhabitants. It would also go a long way in helping the people of the town to achieve one of the most laudable objects —that of every man owning his own home.

Councillor Scott said the proposal was a step in the right direction. Other councillors endorsed the view, it being decided to draw up conditions along the lines of those suggested and advertise the offer.

Mr. Austin said the owner-occupier was invariably among the best citizens which the proposal aimed at, but no one would be debarred from building dwellings of an approved type. Consumption of foodstuffs, clothing, power etc. were all factors to be considered when viewing the proposition.

A proposal to replace two shops in the main street with more modem structures was favourably received and referred to the building inspector for a report.