H—ll

(5) Labour for coal-mines recruited both, from overseas and local sources has to> be accommodated, and this necessitated a more intensive programme of hostelconstruction in the mining areas. A hostel is already in operation at Reefton, and othersare being built at Huntlv, Ohura, and Ohai. Proposals are under way to establish, hostels in a number of other mining localities. (6) The aim of the Department in all its hostels and camps is to provide the most comfortable living-conditions possible in the circumstances, and any suggestions which are aimed at the improvement of conditions and which are economically possible are put into effect. Despite this, much still remains to be done, and, in turn, this will result in further relatively heavy expenditure in the forthcoming year. (7) At the 31st March, 1948, 2,125 workers (including staff) were accommodated in establishments operated by the Department, and this figure gives a good indication of the extent of the Department's activities in this sphere. With the completion of hostels now in the course of construction, the number of workers served by the scheme will be further increased. (8) With the exception of two women's hostels operated by the Y.W.C.A. on behalf of the Department, all hostels and camps are under the Department's direct control. Although the hostels directly controlled by the Y.W.C.A. represent only a small proportion of what has been done, the Department is very grateful for the continued co-operation and assistance provided by that organization and for the most, efficient manner in which the administration of the two hostels has been carried out. (9) The number of residents of the various hostels and camps operating as at 31st March, 1948, is set out below :

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— District. Number of Residents.. Industrial workers' camps and hostels— Waikaraka Park Camp Auckland 265 Mangere Camp Auckland 103 Hataitai Camp Wellington 207 Winter Show Camp Wellington 162 Petone Camp Lower Hutt .. 398 Hanson's Lane Hostel Christchurch .. 35 Orient Hostel Wellington 89 Woburn Hostel Lower Hutt .. 280Immigration hostels — Men's Hostel, St. Kilda Dunedin 46 Wigram Men's Christchurch .. 56 Wigram Women's Christchurch .. 17 Fort Dorset Men's Wellington 77 Fort Dorset Women's Wellington 60 North Head .. Auckland 43 Narrow Neck Auckland 35 Public Service hostels— Boat Harbour, Oriental Bay Wellington 104 Hobson Street Wellington 64 Tinakori Road Wellington 20 Home Aid Hostel, Mount Eden Auckland 11 Home Aid Hostel, Vivian Street Wellington 12 Miners' hostels — Ohura Taumarunui .. 12 Reefton Greymouth -. •• 29 Total 2,125