FLATS PROPOSAL

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22730, 4 October 1945, Page 4

FLATS PROPOSAL

REJECTED BY COUNCIL PREVIOUS MOTION RESCINDED A resolution passed exactly a year ago today was rescinded by the Hamilton Borough Council at a meeting last night. The decision was not reached without a keen debate lasting for almost two hours and centring on a notice of motion lodged by Mr R. Braithwaite. “ That the resolution of the council passed on October 4, 1944, for the erection of 13 blocks of flats at an estimated cost of £83,015, be rescinded and that the Loans Board and the borough solicitor be advised accordingly,” was the text of Mr Braithwaite’s motion. Difficult Problem Mr Braithwaite, introducing the discussion, said it was agreed that the housing problem was the most difficult of all in New Zealand. Mr Braithwaite considered that the flats scheme would not furnish any reliel to the housing problem, which was essentially one of production. The materials and labour which would be required to build the fiats would be better employed in the erection of houses. The cost a year ago had been estimated at £83,000, but prices had risen to such an extent in the meantime that £IOO,OOO would be nearer the mark. “ I am against the building of flats and am equally opposed to the council entering into a housing scheme,” said Mr Braithwaite. Efforts should be made to stress to the Government the pressing needs for alleviation of housing difficulties. Seconder’s Views The motion was seconded by Mr W. R. Shattock, who said he subscribed to the views held by the previous speaker. He considered that by erecting flats the council would not be doing a duty to the men who had served overseas. The council could better help them by creating a Greater Hamilton so that men buying sections outside the borough could secure the amenities due to them. The opinion that flats were not suitable for family life was expressed by Mr T. Parker, supporting the motion. Opposing the previous speakers the deputy-Mayor, Mr E. G. Scrimshaw, considered that they probably did not appreciate the desperate nature of the housing shortage in Hamilton. In a number of cases returned servicemen were boarding in the town and were forced to live away from their wives. The fiats could readily be filled on completion. Returning servicemen, not subject to manpower direction, could be utilised by private enterprise in building. “ The building of flats in concrete is the slowest housing scheme there is,” said Mr E. J. Watkins, favouring the motion. Duty of Council The chairman of the housing committee, Mr D. C. Street, said the housing position was more acute than 3 2 months ago. Apart from the provision of the Whitiora transit camp, the council had done nothing toward rehabilitation. Here was an opportunity and some members of the council desired to turn it down. Notwithstanding the shortage of materials, he felt sure the Building Controller would make available the cement required for the erection of the fiats. The increase in costs were due to factors beyond the council’s control. “ Great play has been made on the grounds that flats are undesirable,’' said Mr Street. “ You must know that there are already a large number of multi-unit dwellings in Hamilton They provide good homes. The proposed flats are of the latest type with every modern amenity.” Mr J. A. Bridges, supporting Mr Braithwaite, said that he considered the cost of erecting the flats would have risen from £83,015 to £88,870. He contended the council had no right to pledge the ratepayers’ assets without their approval in a scheme that would not solve the housing problem. Loans Board’s Consent The Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, voiced several arguments in favour of continuing with the scheme. He referred to the fact that the Loans Board had agreed to the loan in spite of the fact that the original resolution had been carried only on his casting vote. Surely this indicated that it considered housing necessary, otherwise it would not have granted the loan. He understood it was the first time in New Zealand that a loan had been granted when a resolution had been carried only by a casting vote. Mentioning a recommendation from the housing committee that no action should be taken in the erection of 50 houses decided upon some time ago, Mr Caro said this indicated that the council did not intend to proceed with any housing scheme at all. He felt that hours had been wasted talking about these matters. The public had been looking to councillors to assist them. Ordinary councillors did not know what stress was, said Mr Caro. The cases with which he was confronted were very distressing. Hundreds more returned men would be returning to Hamilton and something would have to be done to accommodate them. Appeals From Public Mr Caro said that every day he was interviewed by people seeking homes and he felt there was a great need to assist them. “ Yet c uncillors come here and turn down proposals,” he continued. He was assured by the manager of the State Advances Corporation that there was no prospect of relief of the housing shortage in Hamilton for five, probably ten years. “ It has been said that flat life is not good for a nation,” said Mr Caro. However, it could not be said that America, where there was much flat life, was a decadent nation. A modern flat was as good as any other way of living. On being put to the meeting Mr Braithwaite’s motion was carried by seven votes to five. The voting was as follows.—For: Messrs R. Braithwaite, M. M. Shaw, J. A. Bridges, E. J. Watkins, T. Parker, W. R. Shattock, E. J. L. Whiting. Against; The Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, Messrs E. G. Scrimshaw, Arthur Fow, D. C. Street, A. J. Denz. The absent councillor was Mr H. M. Hammond. The question of the erection of 50 houses was referred back to the housing committee for further investigation. SCHEME DESIRABLE RETURNED MEN’S VIEWS The opinion that any curtailment or abandonment of the proposal to build flats would be very regrettable was expressed by the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force Association in a letter received by the Hamilton Borough Concil. The association regarded the proposal as one of the most favorable steps toward the solution of the housing difficulty, and the position in regard to housing

was certainly no better than when the flats proposal was passed by the council. The association also asked for information regarding the possibility of the vacant sections in various parts of the town being made available as building sections for returned men. In regard to the latter question the association will be advised that the council hopes to make available some leasehold sections in the near future. Comments on the plans and specifications of the flats for which a loan of £83.000 was approved by the Local Government Loan Board were made by the Director of Housing Construction. He said it was questionable whether it was desirable to provide so many dwellings of such large accommodation in the form of flats. They would almost certainly attract families with children and it was a generally recognised principle that this type of accommodation was not ideal for children. No service access was provided for the upper flats, which had the larger accommodation. This would necessitate carrying all supplies, fuel and refuse on the main stair. It would not appear that adequate provision had been made for accommodating fuel and refuse.