WORKMEN'S HOMES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13974, 7 August 1909, Page 3

WORKMEN'S HOMES.

To. the Editor, of the "Timaru Herald." •Sir,—lt was with a deal of satisfaction. that I rea'd the leading article In your issue of to-day on tne above subject. To mv way of thinking you put the whole matter very plainly, lliat we are apt to'go just a little too far in the way of building too expensively, is very apparent at the present time when when we look at photos of the ferroconcrete ; homes that the Government has just erected in Christchurch. Jiut whilst' ; giving- them' credit for erecting "something solid, we must not get . away from the fact that, for a-worker to keep honest and pay his way 3 his rent must not be more than the amount of one days' pay, viz., Ss. How many in Timaru are in this happy position? Not many I am afraid. But in a town like ours there should' be no reason why themunicipal bodv should not take the matter un, and 1 would respectfully suggest that, now you have opened the question, that you go just a. hit further and advocate in no uncertain manner the building -of workmen's homes on the gaol site that the Government

arc thinking of selling. There should be room for at least ten houses in wood, costing say £240 each. For this amount the tenants could have a comfortable four-roomed dwelling with bath and conveniences and .wasli-liouse ; and at 8s per week, it should be a good investment for the Government Uie Council might also be induced to take the matter up, and once a start is made on the gaol site they could thou continue the .scheme on the reserve adjoining, and instead of the eyesore that we now have on Craigio Avenue we could point with pride to many neat cottages, erected by a progressive local body. The question of housing the workers is one that I have taken a good deal of interest in, ,md T. am inclined to think that the day is not far distant when wo shall see a start made in the above direction.

In conclusion, let me further suggest that the workers of Timaru got up a monster petition, urging upon the Government the necessity for a start to he inade in the direction of erecting workmen's homes. There are a great many carnenters idle in Timaru at the present- time, and if this suggestion could he given effect to, it would be a benefit in piore ways than one. Trusting yon will, through the medium of" your valuable paper, still keep the question alive.—l am, etc., T. C. Timaru, August sth, 1909.