An instance of homes built by the Government ten years ago for the Maori people. Pleasant and comfortable though this home is, it does not quite measure up to the design standards set today. Grounds and garden of this Northland homestead are in fine condition and typical of many Maori homes of this generation. (photo: national publicity studios). ing site is not one bought by the department, the supervisor inspects it, estimates its value and looks at all those points so easily forgotten by the layman: is the locality close to work, school, post office, etc, is it going ahead? Is there suitable and adequate transport? Is the section subject to flooding, close to a road, level? Will extra height be required for foundations, as this may add considerably to the cost of the house? Is the section served with high pressure water supply, sewer, electricity? If not, how can amenities be had and what will they cost? Building supervisors help applicants to select a plan, give cost estimates, supervise all stages of construction. On completion a supervisor hands over the keys, gives advice on maintenance and laying out of grounds and section drainage. After the owner has been in the house for 31 days, the supervisor makes a maintenance check of the house and anything that needs attention (for instance a sticking door or window) is put right. Usually the welfare officer also makes a call about this time to help the new house owner to settle in, if any help is necessary. Advice on furnishing, homecraft and general management is often welcome. What kind of homes are these? On these pages we have given some pictures of them. Applicants can have their houses built to plans of their own drawn up by qualified outside people, but most use the department's plan service. This consists of over ninety designs, published in a book which every applicant may see at any departmental office. The main problem with which the designer has had to struggle is costs. Most Maori families are large and need considerable floor space. The loan maximum is £2,000. Average basic building cost under private contract lies somewhere between 48/- and 55/- a square foot in the North Island, except for the Wellington area where the cost is higher. The plans of the Department of Maori Affairs should be viewed mainly as attempts to solve the problem of cost. There are two ways: first, to cut building cost a square foot and second, to utilize the available floor space as well as possible and eliminate wastage. Whatever way is used, the highest standard of plan and specifications has to be maintained. The department's success in this respect can be gauged from the accompanying pictures and the prices given for final costs. Buying in bulk, storing supplies and always watching expenses are methods by which costs can be cut. Reasonable three-bedroom homes are being built by