PENSIONERS’ FLATS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 201, 23 August 1944, Page 4

PENSIONERS’ FLATS

SITE Al WANGANUI EAST SELECTED After rejecting a recommendation by tile Housing Sub-Committee that the proposed pensioners' flats be creeled on the Bin gum Plantation, the Wanganui City Council, at its meeting last night,’decided that they should be built on a site at the corner of Kawakawa and Nixon Streets, Wanganui East. The subcommittee reported having inspected 10 sites, consisting of corporation and privately-owned property. “The building of these flats has been under consideration since the beginning of the year and I'm glad to know we are getting somewhere," said the chairman of the sub-commit-tee, Cr. T. N. Dickson, moving the adoption of the sub-committee's report. Opposing the adoption of the report, Cr. W. S. N. Rennie said the site was opposite the prison and was not the most suitable. This area, he added, should be reserved for industrial purposes. “It seems to me that there are other sites we could use to advantage,” said Cr. Rennie.

“I don’t like this site a bit,” said Cr. T. S. Russell, who added that the council would be faced with expenditure in clearing the land and laying down footpaths. This would add to the cost of building the flats and it appeared wishful thinking to suppose that the Government would erect hous.es on the rest of the site. The Mayor, Hon. W. J. Rogers, said sites were inspected at Aramoho, Wanganui East and elsewhere. The Bluegum Plantation was central and he did not think the proximity of the prison would matter. In any case, the gaol may be shifted elsewhere in the years.to come.

“I was not impressed with any of the sites we inspected,” said Cr. A. J. Pritchard, who agreed that the council would be faced with expenditure in clearing the land. The Bluegum Plantation did not. appear to be the most suitable area and pensioners should be given more pleasant surroundings. After Cr. Rennie, seconded by Cr. A. R. Donaldson, had moved, as an amendment, that the question be referred back to the sub-committee for further consideration, Cr. Dickson said he regretted that the amendment did not contain something concrete to work on. He believed that the flats should be erected in a central position, rather than in the suburbs. At nrcsent the Bluegum Plantation did not appear an attractive site, but when cleared it would have many advantages

After Cr. Rennie’s amendment had been carried by seven votes to five, a further amendment, moved by Cr. R. P. Andrews, seconded by Cr. S. J. Harris, that the flats be erected on the Wanganui East site, was carried by nine votes to three.