D.—l

(9) Statistics. —The cumulative progress of the Department over the successive years since its inception as at 31st March is as follows : —

(10) Administration— Until the tapering-off of the defence programme, housing activities had been more or less at a standstill, consequently a large number of the Department's staff had been released to other duties. Of recent months, however, the staffing position lias been improved by the return of a number of officers and by new appointments of female assistants, but the Department is still inadequately staffed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Our work has also been somewhat retarded by the lack of adequate transport conveyances, but the position is being relieved by the transfer of a number of motor-vehicles from the Army. The past year has again been a particularly difficult one for all branches of the Department, owing to the large number of trained personnel that have been released for military service. Altogether 100 officers of a total of 440 were absent with the Forces as at 31st March, 1944. In conclusion, I desire to place on record my appreciation of the efficient and loyal service rendered the Department by all members of the staff. (11) Proposals for Ensuing Year. —Subject to the necessary material and labour being available, the Housing Construction Department will continue to operate to the fullest possible extent in an effort to provide additional houses, which are so urgently required, particularly in the larger centres. Provision for a total expenditure of £5,848,497 has accordingly been made in the current year's estimates, of which £5,523,497 will be financed from loans and the balance from rent receipts. Those desiring to erect houses for themselves have been offered building loans by the State Advances Corporation on liberal terms, and there have been granted during the past financial year 359 building loans for a total value of £404,507, exclusive of loans granted to local authorities under Part 111 of the Housing Act, 1919, amounting to £100,000. I have, &c., 6. W. Albertson, Director of Housing Construction.

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Price Bd.]

18

1937-38. 1038-39. 1039-40. 1940-41.* 1941-42.* 1942-43.* 1943-44.* Units. Units. Units. Units. Units. Units. ,H,nits. (а) Houses advertised .. .. 3,172 6,098 11,071 14,084 17,029 17,443 20,910 (б) Contracts let 2,507 0,188 10,353 13,047 10,522 10,799 19,487 (c) Houses under construction .. 1,500 2,320 2,847 io'kqo il'alw ir'779 (d) Houses completed and handed over 399 3,004 0,459 10,425 13,033 14,892 15,772 for occupation Towns. Towns. Towns. Towns. Towns. Towns. Towns. (e) Towns and localities work conducted 70 106 121 137 141 146 153 in (f) The work of the Department is spread amongst a large number of contractors, the number of different principal contractors to the 31st March oach year being : 1937-38, 145 ; 1938-39, 240 ; 1939-40, 291 ; 1940-41, 320 ; 1941-42, 345 ; 1942-43, 340 ; 1943-44, 400. . £ £ £ £* | £* £♦ £* Land and services .. .. 298,500 890,000 1,038,000 2,549,100 3,080,400 3,005,500 4,212,300 Dwellings-construction .. 1,063; 000 4,311,400 8,593,900 13,203,700 10,507,900 17,316,200 18,849,-900 Joinery-factories, including 48,900 50,500 52,000 49,400 45,900 40,700 40,700 Vehicles, plant, and equipment 2,000 0,200 12,900 oq'kSa i?t'aaa ls^'nnn Interest during construction . 0,000 21,000 31,000 52,200 RKQ*?nn Administration .. .. 06,200 160,400 281,300 400,400 539,800 685,700 059,100 1,470,400 5,446,100 10,610,600 10,278,000 20,352,000 21,853,300 23,945,100 * Work retarded due to the temporary diversion of contractors and the Department's organization to defence works.