PROVIDING HOUSES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16582, 15 November 1921, Page 4

PROVIDING HOUSES.

COUNCIL TO APPLY FOR LOAN. A resolution that application should I he made to the Government for a. work- < era’ dwellings loan of £SOOO was carj vied last night by tbe City Council, and ; it was resolved later in the evening to call for estimates for designs prepared by tbe acting-City Surveyor. 1 he Housing Committee recommended that, estimates should be obtained tor designs 1 and 2. prepared by the acting-City Surveyor, for bouses to be constructed in concrete or wood, the work to be done by day labour. The ; committee asked for authority to purchase eight sections at a price not cx~ coeding £IOO each. The first design of a tour-roomed house with all eonveni- : cnees was estimated to cost £730; the J second design, of four rooms, £630. Councillor IT. T. Armstrong, in moving the adoption of the report, said i that the Huxley Street bouses, which i were not big enough, were too dear j lor the average forking man to oe- ! (-u PV- Much cheaper houses could be i erected by day labour. ! Councillor Winsor objected. “ Where I will you get day labour?” ho asked. AA here do the contractors get it?” I retorted Councillor Armstrong. We’ve got it,” said Councillor Winsor. ‘‘Then we ll take it from you,” repl i©d Con nci 1 ior Arm strong. “ You can't —it’s collared,” said Councillor Wi nsor. Councillor E R. M Combs urged that an effort should be made to get the additional grant of £SOOO applied for by the Woolston Borough Council. A builder bad stated that in erecting a. dozen or more houses by day labour the council could save £ioo on each h on se. Cou ncillor A. Manhire suggested that to test the matter houses should be built both by day labour and contract. Day labour, in cleaning bricks at tbe Manchester Street site, bad proved a failure, as it cost 9s a thousand by day labour, while by contract 4.000 bricks Mere cleaned in a day. Councillor Martin said that on one line alone—-ranges—the council could obtain a discount of -o per cent, pins 21 per cent. He could show a written offer on those lines. “ Put mo on to that,” said Councillor Winsor. ‘“'You arc on fo it already,” said Councillor Martin. “It is part of the contractor’s perquisites.” He added that secret commissions, the curse of New Zealand, were extremely common, notably in regard to auctioneers and the sale of properties. “ Do contractors get them?” asked Councillor Winsor. “Yes,” said Councillor Martin. *■ That is a deliberate, untruth.” said Councillor AYinsor heatedly. “It is a lie” Councillor Martin said that a large firm he could name was prepared to offer a discount of 27} per cent. Everybody knew that secret commissions existed, and he was quite convinced that they applied to building lines. Councillor A. Williams said that several years ago the council had carried out work by day labour, and the cost had been heavier than that set out in the tenders. He referred to the Addington library. Councillor H. Hunter said that day labour would prove a success if placed in charge of a man w ho had sympathy with tho scheme. The contract svstem had failed. Councillor TV. F. Herbert said Tie wanted to see bouses built. The council had been talking for ages, and it was lime to get the monev and do something. The Huxley Street houses bad cost 100 much, but still they were all occupied. He thought there was little difference between either system. Councillor IT. T- Armstrong said that it would be to tbe advantage of tbe council to build houses by day labour. The contract system had proved a hopeless failure. Tbe report was adopted, with the exception that day labour was struck out by 12 votes to 6. WATAIAIRPS SCHEME. The Housing Committee of the Waimairi County Council reported to last night’s meeting of the council that sketch plans of two styles of bungalows, which it was estimated could he erected for about £9OO each, had been submitted. Instructions bad been given for preparation of plans and specifications on the liues of the sketches. Air W. P. Spencer said lie thought the plans should come before the council. Air (“. E. Cross said the Housing Committee was quite competent to deal with tbe plans. The chairman (Air AY. J. Walter) said be thought it would be bettor for the council as a whole to deal v ith the matter. It was decided that tho committee should be given power to call tenders, tbe plans to be submitted to the next meeting ot the couboil.