WORKERS' HOMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20056, 20 September 1920, Page 5

WORKERS' HOMES.

THE PAPANUI PLANS. WAIMAIRI COUNCIL’S PROTEST. The Government’s housing settlement tor workers at Papanui was claimed to bo designed on modern garden-city linos, but according to the chairman and other members of the Waimairi County Council, the new structures will become “ a slum and a disgrace to the district, ’ the layout being criticised as rotten to the core.” A meeting of ratepayers and residents of Papanui was called for Saturday afternoon at the site of the new settlement, by the Waimairi County Council, to support the council in its protest against the Government’s intentions. About forty persons attended, Including most of the members of the council and Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., who apologised for the absence of Messrs G. Witty, M.P., and D. Jones, M.P, ’ The main objection raised to the scheme is to the width of the road, the main street through the settlement being one chain wide in parts, dwindling to three-quarters. The right-of-way at the north of the estate is but half a chain wide, and this includes a drain. Mr .W. P. Spencer, chairman of the council, addressing those present, said that the Waimairi County Council did not think much of the Government’s so-called town-planning scheme, and he believed that many of the ratepayers were of the same opinion. The Government had ignored the council and had not placed the plans of the settlement before it until last Monday afternoon, when the buildings had been in pronref 9 *it 01 r. EomG wee^3 - He recognised that the Government was strong enough to do as it liked, but why should it ignore the by-laws of the council, which private persons had to obeyP The roads should bo made one chain wide. The action of the Government regarding the half-chain right-of-way was absolutely disgusting. The owner of the adjoining land had been made to give mP r? ar( k or bis share of the road. Iho Government, had blundered in its plans for the settlement. Every resident should have been given four acres tor lus garden and to keep a cow. He moved “ That this meeting of residents and ratepayers strongly protest against the Government's action in not setting the boundary road on the usual quarter-chain lines in the scheme for facing Knapman’s Road, and also protests against the thrce-qUarter-chain roads in the settlement.” Mr S. A. Staples seconded the motion, and said that the Government had no right to make a law for the ordinary man which it infringed itself Ihe three-quarter-chain roads were a blot on the scheme, but not so bad as the half-chain right-of-way. In a fow years both sides of that would lie ouiit upon. The solution was for the uovenunont to buy the quarter-chain of the adjoining property, the owners of which were prepared to sell. Councillor Uren supported the motion, and said that if the plans liad been submitted to the council in time they could have pointed out the defects. Councillor W. J. Walter urged the sending of a deputation to Welliuaton. ■ B Mr Cleland, on behalf of the residents of the Northcote Road, protested against the settlement being termed the Northcote Road settlement. Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., ' S aid that ho had attended to get an idea of the lay-out, and to sec what basis there was for the complaints. In these days of housing shortage, opposition should not be allowed to degenerate into factious opposition. He thought that too many houses were to be put on the area. He w'ould take the opportunity on his return to Wellington to bring the questions raised that afternoon before the House and the Minister, and ho hoped to got the narrow right-of-H’ rectified. Ho would odd that ho been informed that a Department

of Labour official bad sought to interview the council on the settlement plans, but had been put off. Mr Spencer said that a quarter of an hour before the last but one mectinoot the council he had been told by the clerk that a man wished to see him about some subdivision. The clerk could not say who the man was and he (Mr Spencer) was too busy to sec him, I'orty-eight hours’ notice was required according to the standing ort!le council. If he had known that the call was in reference to the hrovernment settlement he would have seen the caller. c the conn cil , s clerk, S I 6 had ' *? lcl the chairman that the cal er was Mr P. Graham the architect for tho settleMr Walter: Too much red tape has crept into the council. 1 Mr Sharpe continuing, criticised the absence of iillmg-in between the concrete foundations of the houses. He crete foundations of the houses Tl' site was one of the worst that could have been chosen. Hie resolution was agreed to uiiani. qnoS; Ifc i V w ‘} ,8 ° a ? reed Messrs bpencer and Walter should go to Weihngton to support the protest.