CITY NEEDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19815, 5 December 1919, Page 7

CITY NEEDS.

HOUSING AND GOAL. SUPPLY. MR MASSEY AND THE COUNCIL. Housing and finance was the principal subject dismissed by n. deputation of the Christchurch City Council that met the Prime- Minister to-day in the City Con noil Chamber. Tho M ayor il)r Thacker, M.P.) took tho chair, and the councillors present, were Messrs E. M. Langley, H. T. Armstrong, W. Vicholls, C. P. Agar. H. Hunter, G. S. Harper. J. A. Flesher a.ml A. M’.Kellnr. The Mayor said that the council had matters of local importance to lay before Mr Massey, and tho chairman of committees would speak to each matter. Councillor J. A. Flesher said that great difficulty was experienced in collecting local rates on workers’ dwellings. The Labour .Department collected the rates in weekly instalments, and paid half-yearly, hut \n every case the Department refused to pay tho 10 cent penalty duo on the seeonxl half-year's rent. The council was prohibited from selling tho property, as in tho case of other properties, and the council asked that tho property should : be put on the same tooting as other properties. At present tho only remedy i was to refuse to carry out .the ordin- | ary services in the street. The Labour J Department had refused to collect rates after April next, if the present system was not continued, but in view of tho illogical position an alteration was necessary. Ti' a property waa not occupied nothing was collected. ! Speaking of tho financing of housing Kchomes, Councillor Flesher said that tho matter was of national importance. Christchurch was prepared to do_ its part. but. the money should be provided by the Government, and not the municipalities. Tins had boon decided by the Municipal Conference. Christ■church had considered the problem, but found that all it could get was £IO,OOO a year, which would only provide a. dozen houses in tho city. Tho council considered that even 200 to 250 houses would he insufficient, and the Government should follow the lead of the .Imparl a 1 Government and let money out at 4 per cent. “ Tho Imperial Government lias done nothing yet,” said Mr Massey. ‘‘.lt has promised.” said Councillor Flesher, who added that efficiency and economy and tho demands of tho situation would not bo met with a loau of £IO,OOO, which was only playing with the matter. Councillor H. Hunter, emphasising the acuteness of the housing problem, submitted tlhv following tabic of marriages and houses built over a period of years in Christchurch Alar- Houses

Councillor Hunter added that the ■proportion of houses to' marriages had been greatly reduced in the city during the war, and the condition was so de- ■ plorablo that bonuses were being paid for houses, and two and three families were living in one house, where the separation of tho soxea could not M effected. Rents were being raised; on old tenants day after day, and in tho absence of other houses great bitterness was created. The amount available was a. drop in the ocean. Councillor C, S. Harper, in asking for a subsidy for the purchase of "Waltham Park, of eight acres, said that Mr Massey had first refused the request on account of proximity to Beckenham and Sydenham Parks, but, although the distance was only a mile, tho area w:n thickly populated, and the park would complete a chain round the city The council proposed to buy the jMrk at £3OOO. subject to a poll, and bo hoped that something would be voted by Parliament, say JJIoOO. 'The Mayor complained of the nmaance caused by the railway engine sheds at Engor’s Road. Speaking ot coal supplies from Newcastle, he urged Mr Massey to provide shipping if possible. ' Mr Massey, in reply, said that tho difficulty m regard to workers' dwellings was about the 10 per cent penalty only .“ And when the houses ar© unoccupied.” said councillors. Mr Massey said that it was a nice question whether rates should be paid on tho homes when they were emptv, hut that did not apply at present. The whole matter would have to he considered. and possibly legislation would be required in regard to the penalty. The (.itv Council could sue for rates. “We did so, but could not enforce the judgment,” said Councillor Fleshe.r- . Implying to a question regarding the increased insurance premium on”siich homos, Mr Massey said that the Government must insure sufficiently to repmeo flic houses. Speaking of housing finance. Mr Massev said the Government could not pro. vide enough money for tho housino- requirements of the cities. If all “the , other places asked for proportionate grants, the money could not he obtained. The Government proposed to spend a million it year where houses were moat urgently needed, and contracts had already been let for over °OO houses, half 0< f them in "Wellington W’here the position was most acute.”"Rut the Government could not do the impossible, and what was to become of railways and hydro-electric schemes which were of the utmost importance in view of the coal shortage. Tn Britain fifteen millions over fortv-five milion people was (Shot much, and as good a, proportion could be given in Xcw Zealand. The Government was prepared to do its best in. regard! to per- 1 .sons of limited means, and lie wa.s glad to see that local bodies were prenared to do their duty, but private buildiim should be encouraged. " As for "Waltham Park, it w,a 3 a matter for the Cabinet, for it was a bad precedent to make promises. K P ], a( ] beard complaints about the railway yards and sheds at Ensor’s Road, and carle in the year, when he came back to_ Christchurch as Prime Minister and Minister of Railways, ho would visit the locality. As for shipping, it was impossible to get mueb ” forrader.” but the shinping outlook was better, particularly for colliers, and be honed for a great improvement in the New A oar. Tlie holiday .season was comin rr on, and he was glad to sav there was sufficient coal in hand to carry on the railways over the busiest season.

tingesBuilt. i9I.O 054 239 1911 985 334 1012 986 233 1913 904 221 1914 1,002 269 1915 1,108 203 1016 917 199 1917 711 170 101R 699 81 1019 (eight months) . 042 •150 Totals . 8.968 2.110, houses in course of erection*