CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2582, 17 August 1909, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters is welcomed at all times, but it must be distinctly understood that this journal i.s in no way associated with the opinions of its correspondents. All letters must be legibly written and inscribed on one side of the paper only, otherwise they will not be published. *An asterisk at the foot of a letter indicates that some portion has been excised.]

WORKERS’ HOMES.

[To the Editor.] Sir, —Re workers’ homes, there is no doubt that small houses Suitable for families with an' income of from £2 to £2 10s per week are needed in Gisborne. People with an income of about this amount don’t want fine suburban residences, such as the Government have built in the larger centres. If the Government would build small houses and let them at a low rent they would doubtless benefit the workers. I think, however, a good plan would be for the Government to purchase a block of land in the suburbs, road it, and cut it into small sections, and sell on very easy terms, say, £5 cash, balance to be paid in instalments of 20s per month, with interest added. The price of sections of from 20 to 30 perches need not exceed £SO. 'When the purchaser had paid the whole of the purchase money, the Government might lend the money to erect a small house, say, £2OO, or not more than £250. The owner would then have to pay interest on £2OO at 41 per cent, £9;' sinking fund. I per cent, £2; insurance on £175, 17s 6d; rates (about), £2 10s ; total. £l4 7s 6d, or about 5s 6d per week rent. The fact that a worker would have to exercise some personal effort to put himself in the position of occupying a house at a rent of 5s 6d a week does not appear to me to be an unqualified disadvantage.—l am, etc., “ROUSE ABOUT.” Gisborne, August 16.