Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1231671
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BUILDING POLICY
UPHELD BY COMISSIONER WRITING DOWN OF HOUSES
BUILDING COSTS NOW LOWER
The second Commissioner, Sir John Harrison, who is in control of building operations in the Capital, yesterday replied to attacks on the Commission's building and housing policy, recently made before the Joint Parliamentary Committee of Public Accounts.
He indicated that writing down of some houses at Bland- fordia by about 1 1 \ per cent, was contemplated, and said that building costs were now on a lower level.
At the outset, Sir John asked that the Commission's chief architect, Mr. Casboulte be allowed to be present at the inquiry for the- purpose of assist- ing him with regard to matters of de- tail. The chairman, Senator Kingsmill, granted the request, remarking, how- ever, that such an indulgence was not usually granted.
Sir John-stated that he liad had -IO years' experience as a master builder, in New South Wales. Ho tendered* ti platement comparing- building costs in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne. The' type 9 house ns constructed here,, he said, formed the basis-of his calcula- tions. The net price, of material and labour for this house In Canberra was £1270, or £92 per square; in Melbourne the price of n similar house would be £1127, or £8i'/2/ per square; in'Sydney it would cost £11(13. To the net price in Canberra, five per cent, would have to bo added, making the total of £1831.
Senator Kingsmill:- "What is your opinion of, the quality of labour hero?"
"In the earlier stages here, thp'quallty was not equal' to-that of Sydney or Mel- bourne, because at that time the build- ing trade was at' its; peak iii the Slate
capitals."
Senator Kingsmill :"Tt. "has been fre- quently alleged that'lhVlnck of'miit able accommodation* for ¡workmen in Canberra has been a factor militating against obtaining suitable labour."
",. "4-,don't thjnk^ that's jijtito fair. w.T.hp
Commission -has> considered --the' work-" men in every possible way."
Senator Kingsmill r "When tho houses wore being built hero, were they built to the demands of the people who were to occupy thom, or did the people have to accommodate themselves to the houses?" ?'
"Sketch drawings were prepared,
wjiich were considered an improvement on the average type of,house.' A book-
let was sent to civil servants about to be transferred, to nscertain the various types that would be required."
Senator Kingsmill: "The committee I lias been informed thal the squarage
cost for a brick house "at Yass is £70 13/-; at Goulburn £72/11/; nt Moss Vale, £70; and at Albury, £72."
He then referred to the war service homos being built in Sydney.
Sir John: "The war service homes are not as good as the houses in Can bera. It may be that these houses are not even soweied."
Senator Kingsmill: "Do you claim that from the point of view of comfort
the'Commission houses are superior?"
"I think that the Commission houses at present are very good value."
Sir John'explained that the war'ser- vice homes in Sydney varied in cost from £78 to £81 per square.
Senator Kingsmill: "Willi regard to the foundations in Canberra,, have you experienced any difficulty?"
"Not generally .sponklng. Taking it right through, it's very good."
Continuing, Sir John slated that at Hit; present time an apiireciahle (loir, ii ward tendency Kau Veiny shown in VuihUiifj costs. Houses In Jilund/orñia originally built at £120 lier square, had'hean revalued re- cently at £100" per square. Thal revaluation was based on the pres- ent condUitiii.i.' "U is the intention
of the Commission," he slated,* "ln< write them down lo thal extant. A similar house in Melbourne if/// cost £95 jjer squarb."
li would-be obvious to anyone,* he went on, that the Internal finishings of tiie Oakley and Parken houses -woco .su- perior ' to those of tho Commission homes. . . .
' Sir. John's'attention was then directed to statements to thov effect that private contractors would'be able to buy cheap- er if allowed free play^and, no,t corni
polled to purchase from the Commis-
sion. .^j¿\Va(íclajrnJj:_hei sakl¿¿'that^con-
tractors 'càniipt -buy-» chotipov than the" Commission? Tlîe profit on the stores
to the Commission'.is five per dent., but then you must remember that the Com- mission "buys in bulk/ whereas the con- tractor only purchases Individual items."
Senator Kingsmill: "Are you aware that in the ease~of the wur service home' scheme in N.S.W., and the houses being constructed hy the State
Savings Bimi? in Melbourne, it has been found butter Jo "allow the contractor to furnish lils, own material, and for the authorities to' hold a rigid inspection of .that material?"
"I think' i't has'been said'before you, that it -was better for the 'Commission to buy for the »contractor. If anyone puts up that he can buy bettor than the Commission-we call his bluff. I'm game to bet'thal in the next contracts the builder will have 'the option."
Senator Kingsmill: "We have been informed that with the exception of paints, the contractors can buy cheaper privately."
(CONTINUED ON PACK 5)