BUILDING SCHEME.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20364, 23 July 1934, Page 7

BUILDING SCHEME.

Details Received in Christchurch.

Details of the new building subsidy scheme have been received by the Labour Department in Christchurch. The main points are that in the general way the scheme will be limited to dwelling houses of a capital value of £IOOO and under, and special measures are taken to ensure that the materials used throughout are of New Zealand origin. The rate of subsidy is Is per square foot of all new and totally enclosed floflor space, calculated on the overall measurements of the external walls. The subsidy shall not exceed 8 per cent of the contract price, and a maximum of £BO is fixed.

The schedule sets out that approval will be given to applications referring to new dwelling houses, or new additions to an existing house. Application may be made in connection with residential fiats, or dwelling houses valued at more than £IOOO, but in those cases the board reserves the right to decline the application without furnishing any reason. “ New Zealand Materials.” The board will be entitled, however, to negotiate with local authorities in instances of elimination of slum areas and their rebuilding on modern lines. Each application can cover only one building, and where several applications are to be made, work must commence on the first before the second will be considered for approval. One of the main objects of the scheme is to ensure that. New Zealand building materials are used. The exieptions for which importet materials are permissible are as follows:—plaster lathing (iron or wood), tiling battens, roof iron, metal tiles and slates, Douglas fir (oregon) for use for outside door, beams and scantlings over 24ft in length, Californian redwood for use for outside doors, window sashes, ind shingles, structural or reinforcing steel, door and window hardware, plumbing fixtures and glass. Work must be started within two months of the date of approval of the subsidy, and the work shall be finished within four months. Applications must show reasons wh}' the work would not be undertaken without the assistance of the subsidv.

The board reserves the right to decline any application, or to approve of a reduced subsidy only.