BOROUGH COUNCIL HOUSING

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23278, 14 August 1945, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL HOUSING

Cottages From Army Huts Extension Of Limit On Cost When the Timaru Borough Council decided last evening, on the motion of Cr. J. McDougall, to amend a previous resolution so that its Housing Committee might proceed immediately With the construction of 25 cottages at a cost of up to £7OO each instead of being restricted to approximately £5OO a house, the chairman of the Housing Committee (Cr. A. S. Kinsman) expressed his appreciation of the generosity of the Council in making an extra £2OO available for the building of each house but assured councillors that he believed he would not have to use it. Since the previous meeting of the Council, the best procurable building material from military huts had been secured for the building of cottages in Timaru, explained Cr. kinsman. The price of the material had been reduced because of the quantity purchased from the War Assets Realisation Board. His committee was working economically so that the £lOO.OOO would go as far as humanly possible. The foundations of the first two cottages under the Council’s scheme had been marked out and were being laid. He hoped that

before long- the people of Timaru would be able to see the reasonable and comfortable cottages that the Council was providing. Everyone knew that the housing shortage to-day was acute, and the Housing Committee was determined to build as quickly arid as cheaply as it could and as well as it could. “I strongly object to the notice which appeared in a newspaper- suggesting that these houses are for sale,” declared Cr. F. A. Hilton. “It was my impression that they were to be built for approximately £5OO each and let by the Council at 15/- a week. The Council was never notified that they were for sale. If they are bought from the Council they will undoubtedly deteriorate in condition. An exploiter will not replace the Malthoid roofing with corrugated iron in five to 10 years’ time. Once the Council loses control of these houses, slums will develop. The Rehabilitation Officer has said that these homes will be suitable for returned men but I believe that in five or six years the houses will not be big enough for them and their families. . .” Cr. Kinsman: We all started that way. Must Retain Houses “The Council must retain the title of these houses,” continued Cr. Hilton, “or a dangerous precedent will be created. The original intention was to make these homes available for age beneficiaries at 15/- a week so that larger houses in Timaru would become available for returned men. How many applications have we deceived so far?” The Town Clerk (Mr J. M. Jenkins): At least 20, including returned soldiers, elderly persons and young people contemplating marriage. Cr. C. E. Thomson: Do I understand that the money we borrowed from the Government was for the building of houses for sale? The Town Clerk: The sum of £lOO,OOO was advanced for the acquisition of land and the building of houses not necessarily for sale. Before any Council property was sold the Council would have to consent to the transaction, continued Cr. Kinsman. He felt that Cr. Hilton was looking too far ahead, although he agreed with his contentions. There was a good deal in his argument which he (Cr. Kinsman) was prepared to recommend to the Housing Committee. When the Council built a house under its other scheme at a cost of as much as £l5OO the tenant should be allowed to secure the ownership. Cr. Thomson: When councillors see the first cottage constructed from the material obtained from the dismantled Army huts they will be thrilled. It is a waste of time talking a lot of hot air now.

“I cannot see how these cottages can be built for £500,” said Cr. McDougall, “I have objected to them all along and after an investigation I like them less. At a cost of £5OO they will have to be pegged down at the corners. An extra £2OO on their cost will make all the difference between a nice little home and a potential slum.” “Little More Scope”

Cr. E. J. Ellis: We must give the Committee a little more scope so that they are in no way restricted from making a good job. I hope that they can do the job for £5OO, but thfey must not be pinned down to that sum. Cr. Thomson: The sum of £550 Was only an estimate in the beginning to give an idea of the reasonable type of home that was to be provided. Cr. Kinsman: We have borrowed the money at a reasonable rate of interest and there is no reason why the original estimate of a rental of 15/- a week should be increased by a great deal, if at all. “If private enterprise had done its job there would not be the housing shortage to-day,” declared Cr. R .S. Wheeler. “Houses must be produced on a mass scale for the people. . .’’ Cr. Ellis: Take over the Bank of New Zealand! Cr. Wheeler: Bricks are dear and wood is scarce. We must build concrete houses. We have plenty of shingle on the beach and the Council has its own crushing plant and concrete mixer. The Council agreed with Cr. McDougalL that the Housing Committee should not be restricted to £5OO but allowed a limit of £7OO for the construction of the wooden cottages. On the motion of Cr. Hilton, it was decided that the question of title of the cottages be referred back to the Housing Committee for its consideration.