WORKERS’ DWELLINGS.

Waipa Post, Volume XX, Issue 1129, 16 August 1921, Page 5

WORKERS’ DWELLINGS.

ONLY £SOOO AVAILABLE.

COUNCIL AS LANDLORD,

The deputy-superintendent of the State Advances Office had a letter before the Te Awamutu Borough Council last evening respecting the workers’ dwellings loan. The letter read as follows:

“ I have to acknowledge your 'letter of the 29th ultimo, and note that your Council is now desirous of proceeding with the erection of workers’ dwellings, for which purpose a loan of £IO,OOO was granted in March, 1920. In reply I have to say that owing to the large demands made on the funds of the Department the Board recently found it necessary to reduce the sum that may be borrowed to £SOOO. In view of the period which has elapsed since the loan was granted, and the fact that your Council has already had a loan of £IO,OOO granted this year for sewerage proposals, it has been decided to reduce the amount available for workers’ dwellings to £SOOO. Application for payment of the money may be made as the work proceeds.” Te Mayor said the Council had inquired if this money would prejudice the sewerage loan, and this was the answer. It was now for the Council to decide whether to go ahead.

Cr Downes said they should take the £SOOO and go ahead. The discussion revealed a reluctance to build houses for workers generally, though accommodation was required for the borough workmen. The fact that the terms compelled the Council to be the landlord of these houses for all time was also objected to. Cr Peate thought that though there was a shortage of housing now yet in the near future some houses in Te Awamutu now occupied might be unoccupied.

The Mayor said they must either lift the £sooo'now or abandon it and take a fresh poll, giving the right to sell, which would take some time. Cr. Spinley was convinced townspeople would not like the Council to become a permanent landlord. The Mayor proposed that a committee should consider the matter and report, the committee to consist of Crs Oliphant, Spinley, Downes, and Wynyard.

Cr Jeffery seconded the motion, and it was carried.