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46
Housing.
Building operations have been actively continued during
the past year in all parts of the District , and several new
estates arc in course of development.
The number of new houses passed between December 31st,
1905, and December 31st, 1906, as fit for occupation was 142.
The new buildings for the most part comprise rows of
villa residences, flats, shops, and a comparatively small number
of detached houses.
There is no lack of house accommodation for artisans, but
the same complaint is heard here as in other suburban districts,
namely, that house rents are, as a rule, in excess of
what the working man can afford. I believe it is mainly in
consequence of this difficulty in meeting the rent of an entire
house that a considerable amount of sub-letting exists.
The following tabular statement showing the number of
houses passed each year (ending March) has been kindly supplied
to me by the Assistant Surveyor, Mr. Catchpole, and
gives some idea of the rapid growth that has been taking place
in the District:—
1894 47
1895 60
1896 101
1897 123
1898 142
1899 189
1900 213
1901 289
1902 323
1903 340
1904 338
1905 361
1906 450 (to end of January, 1907.)