MORE HOMES BUILT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 117, 22 May 1946, Page 3

MORE HOMES BUILT

MARKED INCREASE IN CITY STRICTER SUPERVISION URGED In spite of rigid restrictions imposed by the Building Control Regulations, plus shortages of materials and manpower, last year was particularly active so far as building operations were concerned, stated the chief building and sanitory inspector (Mr. Steele) in his report. Many new homes were built and figures generally, showed an increase of approximately 30 per cent, over the previous year. Of the 281 permits issued in 1945-46, 56 were for new dwellings, the total value being £123,154. In addition, 66 permits were issued to the Government Housing Department, the value of these units being £99,547. With Government houses included, the total value of new buildings, etc., in Wanganui last year was £222,701. By way of comparison, the City Council issued 225 ordinary permits in 1944-45, the value being £93,307. Sixtythree permits were issued to the Government Housing Department at a value of £97,972, bringing the total figure for 1944-45 to £191,279. The increase last year was £31,422, compared with 1944-45. “The number of permits issued in respect of new dwellings (exclusive of Government contracts) is the highest for many years,” Mr. Steele added. “This is shown in the following table:— r

“1936-37, 13; 1937-38, 22; 1938-39, 26; 1939-40, 24; 1940-41, 20; 1941-42, 13; 1942-43, nil; 1943-44, 9; 1944-45, 22; 1945-46, 56. “Floor areas of domestic buildings have been limited to conform with standards laid down by Building Control Regulation, and in the case of alteration or addition to existing buildings, then to a standard considered by the building controller as reasonable for the requirements of the occupants,” Mr. Steele stated. “Business and industrial proposals have been strictly curtailed by the building controller unless they be in the nature of essential repairs or maintenance, or otherwise present some desirable aspect from the point of view of rehabilitation of exservicemen.

“It has been noticed that with the return to civil occupation of ex-service personnel, a number have established themselves in the building trade, and as there is no standard of qualification similar to the requirements of the allied plumbing and electrical trades, this presents an opportunity for men of unproven qualification to establish themselves in business.

“Whilst some of these men are fully competent and are doing, excellent work there are others who were in the process of learning their trade at the time of their mobilisation, and as they have had little opportunity in the intervening years of increasing their trade knowledge it is but reasonable to suggest that their standard of work be kept under close supervision, particularly at present when, through shortage of materials normally available, some departure from standard building practices is invited, or perhaps necessitated. “With building at its present high level, one which it is anticipated will be maintained until the urgent demand for housing has been satisfied, I consider that it is imperative that this department maintain a stricter supervision than has been possible in the past, and in this connection I would recommend the appointment of an inspector or trainee in addition to the present staff, whose time can be devoted entirely to building inspections,” Mr Steele added.