OFFICIALLY OPENED.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20285, 9 April 1938, Page 2

OFFICIALLY OPENED.

THAMES STATE HOUSES.

Yesterday's Function.

REMARKS BY MR. J. THORN

DEPARTMENT'S RECORD. The Thames Stafe houses were officially declared open yesterday by Mr. J. Thorn, M.P., at a function at tho residence of Mr. and Mrs. V. Senior, Alfred Street, yesterday afternoon. Mr. Thorn apologised for the absence of Mr. J. A. Lee, Parliamentary Secretary for Housing, who was debarred from attending owing to pressure of work.

The Mayor, Mr. S. Ensor, in congratulating Mr.' and Mrs. Senior on their fin© home, said many people were strong in their criticism of the Government's policy regarding housing, but he stated, the Government was doing a very necessary work. It was amazing the number of houses in which people were living which had been condemned, and the position in Thames was no different from that in other ; places.

The job seemed to be one which private enterprise would not tackle, said Mr. Ensor. People with money seemingly preferred to invest in other lirections, hence- the State had to outer into the field, and had done tho job well.

Mr. K. S. Hetherington, president of the Thames Chamber of Commerce, said it had to be admitted that of lato years the class of some buildings occupied in Thames had left much to bo desired. Then had come the improvements to the business section, and it was pleasing to see that the State houses had followed and given a lead to others.

The history of the Department for Housing was briefly outlined by Mr. Thorn, who stated that during the period 1930 to 1935 there were 40,000 marriages in New Zealand, and for the san|e period .house-building permits issued had totalled only 8637. The Government, when it took office, realised the position had to be faced. Since tho Department had started operations about March, 1937, work on over 4000 houses had been let to contractors throughout New Zealand, and the .contractors numbered about 100. Mr. Thorn wished Mr. and Mrs.

Senior success in their new home

At the suggestion of the occupants, those present were permitted to pass through the house. •