HOMES FOR EX-SOLDIERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20454, 6 November 1934, Page 13

HOMES FOR EX-SOLDIERS.

Sandiiands Scheme Further Advanced. Indications that finance was available practically immediately for the launching of the scheme to erect at Sandiiands cottage homes for prematurely aged returned soldiers, were given at a meeting of the general committee of the Cottage Homes Settlement Scheme yesterday afternoon. \ arious details of the scheme were discussed, and the plans for its early promotion were further advanced. The chairman was Mr J. W. Beanland, and the opportunity was taken by the acting-chairman, Air W. 11. W insor, to extend a welcome home to Mr Beanland, and to traverse the progress that the committee had made during the latter’s absence abroad. Mr Winsor said that things so far as the scheme was concerned had been going along on right lines during Mr Beanland’s absence. Mr Beanland said it was pleasing that the committee had worked so well together in hi sabsence. Finance Available. The secretary, Mr E. F. Willcox, said that although they had no money in hand he had arrived at a definite understanding cn a recent visit to Wellington in regard to obtaining finance tically immediately. The National War Funds Council would forward £SOO immediately the first tender was let, while the Canteen Fund would make a grant of £ISOO available as soon as it was required. In addition the Minister of Internal Affairs would make available the £2500 from Art Union No. *3O, which was payable as a subsidy, as soon as he received an auditor’s certificate that the £SOO to be raised iocally was in hand. * Mr W. FT Leadley said that £250 of the local £SOO was available. Mr Leadley reported that the committee would receive word about December as to whether or not the Duke lof Gloucester \v>uld be willing to include a visit to Sandiiands in his itinerary during his visit to the city. Mr Beanland said that that meant that if they were not in a position to accept tenders for the housing, they would need to have a foundation stone to mark the position of the administration block.

Mr Winsor said they could put in a foundation stone irrespective of the I administration* block. The Returned Soldiers’ Association might find it better to put the foundation stone somewhere else. Now that sufficient funds were available, said Mr Willcox. the committee should endeavour to get ahead with the building of the first house. That seemed to be the vital consideration The question of the naming of the streets of the settlement was referred back to the executive. It had been suggested that the main entrance should be named Anzac Avenue, and the other main street Nicholas Street The point was raised, however, that these were very important names to be . attached to such roads, which might not be worthy of them. SUBDIVISION PLANS. Details of a proposal by the City Engineer (Mr A. R. Galbraith) for the subdivision of the soldiers’ settlement area at Sandiiands were submitted to the City Council last evening by the Town Planning Committee. The plan provided for sixty-four sections together with an administrative block, bowling green and tennis court. The report added that, provision had also been made for a forty-four feet

trative block, and upon which a number of the 'sections would face. Roadv.ays of less than sixty six feet width i ivere not permitted under the Mtmi- | *ipal Corporations Act. except with the special permission of the Governor-Gen-eral. but it was thought that in view, of the circumstances full compliance with the provisions of the Act might not be insisted upon. Inquiries in that directions were being made, but failing receipt of a satisfactory reply it was recommended that application be made for autority to lay the streets out at a width of forty-four feet.