House construction for Public Servants and the allocation of these houses The main transfers of Public Servants began in 1927. Some departments such as the Printers moved up to Canberra in 1926. Public Servants transferring to Canberra had a choice of cottage styles from which to select and the favourite was FCC 9. (FCC = Federal Capital Commission 1929-1930). The majority of cottages in the permanent suburbs were constructed in brick. A few timber cottages were built in 1926 for workmen in the suburb of Ainslie and Westridge (Yarralumla). Some public servants did select timber cottages. Some of the cottages in the permanent suburbs were built by day labour but the majority were constructed by contractors. Names of contractors included eg Bruce Eden & Griffiths and Oakley and Parkes. The FCC also let a contract to the Monolyte Company to build 100 concrete cottages in Blandfordia (Forrest/Griffith). Because of major problems encountered only 25 were built. Canberra was a class society. In the early years building convenants were placed on cottages in each suburb. The minimum covenant at Ainslie was 700 pounds and at Mugga Way 1500 pounds. Rent was based on a percentage of the cost of construction with the result lower paid officials moved into cottages in Ainslie, Reid and Braddon on the north side of the Molonglo River and Kingston on the southside. The better paid officials moved into the suburbs of Forrest and a very few into Red Hill and Mugga Way. However, some financial help in the form of allowances gave assistance to all transferred to Canberra. Australian Archives A1/1 27/17113 part 1 Each will have NAME, DIVISION, SECTION, BLOCK, TYPE of house, UNIMPROVED LAND VALUATION. The year would be 1927 FCC = Federal Capital Commission in charge of works in Canberra between 1925 and early 1930. The First Commissioner was John Butters. E Abbott, 3, 4, 2, Bc1, 475 pounds A Adams, 3, 4, 17, Bc3, 500 pounds CJ Adams, 19, 3, 15, FCC 26 160 pounds JL Adams (two lots of figures the first is reserved and second the allotted) 190 & 3, 3 & 23, 15 & 13, T3 & FCC 7, 250 Pounds & 400 pounds HT Baker, 11, 10, 13, FCC 26 250 pounds WH Bale - crossed out and note added - see supplementary list HA Barrenger, 2, 24, 19, FCC 7, 375 pounds DW Barrie, 11, 11, 5, FCC 26, 265 pounds GA Beech, name crossed out - resigned H Beilby, 11, 9, 11, FCC 26, 225 pounds K Binns, 3, 37, 13, special, 400 pounds WG Bird, 11, 8, 1, FCC 26, 200 pounds A Bolle, 3, 37, 9, B1, 325 pounds PH Born, 2, 25, 4, FCC 1, 300 pounds EP Bradley, 11, 12, 8, FCC 26, 250 pounds TJ Bronnan, 2, 24, 9, FCC 9, 400 pounds RA Broinowski, 3, 37, 1, special, 450 pounds NGM Browne, 3, 4, 26, Dc3, 500 pounds GW Burns, 2, 28, 14, FCC 3, 235 pounds J Byrne, 11, 11, 8, FCC 26, 275 pounds WJM Campbell, 3, 38, 9, FCC 8, 450 pounds JA Carrodus, 3, 4, 6, Bc 1a, 550 pounds JG Castieau, 3, 4, 8, CC1, 450 pounds WG Chapman, 19, 13, 2, FCC 9, 350 pounds SF Chubb, 3, 4, 8, CC1, 450 pounds CF Comerford, 2, 25, 7, FCC 19, 300 pounds G B Cooke, 3, 23, 6, FCC 4, 450 pounds AT Conron, 11, 10, 16, FCC 26 (alt) 235 pounds CFB Cook, crossed out WE Corrigan, 13, 23, 5, FCC 9, 250 pounds G Curry, 11, 11, 13, FCC 26, 210 pounds OC Crease, 3, 22, 8, FCC 9, 325 pounds CE Carter, 3, 20, 10, FCC 9, 320 pounds WE Dale, 11, 8, 8, FCC 26, 250 pounds tentative HR Dalton, 13, 24, 8, FCC 20, 300 pounds CW Davies crossed out - cancelled JG Davies, 19, 4, 10, FCC 4, 350 pounds JH Davis crossed out RW Dixon, 3, 38, 10, FCC 14, 325 pounds Percy Deane, Acton,-,-, special GP Doddrell, 19, 6, 9, FCC 7 (alt), 400 pounds FJ Dudley, 2, 24, 21, FCC 19, 275 pounds OE Dye, two lots of figures first allotted - second reserved: 19 & 19, 10 & 3, 9 & 13, FCC 2, 375 pounds & 250 pounds EV Eason, 11, 11, 2, FCC 25, 185 pounds JE Edwards, 2, 24, 2, FCC 9, 300 pounds AJ English, 11, 11, 2, FCC 25, 185 pounds MT Farrell crossed out - see supplementary list RC Field, 13, 29, 5, FCC 20, 300 pounds M Finlayson, 19, 4, 8, A3 (alt) 275 pounds H Fleetwood, 3, 37, 5, FCC 9, 430 pounds AD Forbes, 2, 25, 8, FCC 9, 300 pounds GR Galbraith, 3, 23, 1, FCC9, 400 pounds JF Gamble, 19, 8, 10, FCC9 275 pounds TH Garrett, 19, 13, 9, FCC9 (alt), 250 pounds CG Garrioch, 3, 21, 4, FCC24, 450 pounds FK Gell, 3, 3, 17, Ac3, 450 pounds WWE Gray, 11, 8, 2, FCC25, 175 pounds CO Green, 3, 21, 8, FCC 9 (alt), 400 pounds FC Green, 19, 3, 10, FCC 24, 375 pounds CW Gregory, 3, 38, 3, FCC 9, 325 pounds CR Greig, 13, 24, 5, FCC 19, 225 pounds HR Gray, 3, 20, 13, FCC 3, 320 pounds ET Hall cancelled JR Halligan, 3, 8, 7, FCC 9, 425 pounds G Hastie, 11, 12, 12, FCC 26, 200 pounds AC Henderson crossed out - see supplementary list Miss G Hendy-Pooley, 12, 25, 3, D1, 235 pounds WB Hicks, 3, 38, 12, FCC 5, 325 pounds H Holdworth, 11, 10, 17, FCC 26, 235 pounds H Hollins, 3, 21, 5, FCC 9, 475 pounds PJ Horan, 3, 8, 8, FCC 22, 450 pounds HE Hyland, 2, 28, 6, FCC 9 (tentative), 375 pounds HMV James, 11, 13, 6, FCC 26 HM Johnson, 3, 38, 11, FCC 21, 325 pounds GV Kellaway, 13, 37, 19, PSC "A", 350 pounds RW Kenderdine, 3, 8, 3, FCC 14, 550 pounds VG Knuckey, 13, 35, 10, FCC 9 (alternate), 350 pounds WH Knight crossed out - see supplementary list TA Laird, 2, 26, 20, A, 250 pounds TN Lang, 11, 7, 5, FCC 26 (alt), 200 pounds GH Laurie, 11, 8, 3, FCC 26, 175 pounds FW Lavender, 3, 37, 10, FCC 23, 350 pounds C Law, 13, 23, 13, FCC 10, 250 pounds WH Loughrey, 13, 16, 6, FCC 9 , 370 pounds R Macnicol, 13, 38, 7, FCC 3 (alt) 285 pounds J Maher, 13, 17, 7, FCC 9, 300 pounds W M Maplestone, 2, 25, 5, FCC 9, 375 pounds FA Meere, 13, 18, 10, FCC 10 (alt), 250 pounds EWJ Moore, 13, 35, 13, FCC 21, 250 pounds A Morcombe, 19, 12, 4, B, 375 pounds DF Mulcahy, 13, 17, 6, FCC 19, 375 pounds JE Murphy, 2, 24, 18, FCC 21, 300 pounds JF Murphy, 3, 3, 23, Bc 3, 450 pounds JS Murray, 13, 36, 14, DCC 10 (alt), 300 pounds HW Mylins, 3, 20, 17, FCC 9 (alt), 325 pounds CM Murden, 13, 28, 4, FCC 3, 325 pounds CR McColl, 3, 23, 11, FCC 9, 350 pounds BK McDonald, 19, 6, 4, FCC 9 (alt), 400 pounds PJ McElgunn, 13, 23, 10, FCC 22, 350 pounds SG McFarlane, 3, 4, 25, B2, 550 pounds JR McGregor, 3, 4, 1, B3, 550 pounds FA McLaughlin, 13, 38, 1, A1, 325 pounds L McMahon, 11, 11, 1, FCC 26, 200 pounds M McMillan, 11, 7, 8, FCC 26, 200 pounds PW Nette, 3, 23, 4, PS "A ", 325 pounds WA Newman, 3, 4, 12, Dc2, 600 pounds T Nicholas, 11, 6, 4, FCC 26, 160 pounds AD Osborne, 19, 8, 2, FCC 1, 400 pounds PT Owen, 3, 3, 25, D3, 550 pounds HA Paterson, 3, 21, 10, FCC 15, 320 pounds T Pettifer, 11, 8, 5, FCC 26, 200 pounds FA Piggin, 3, 21, 3, FCC 12, 450 pounds JT Pinner, 3, 8, 6, own plan, 400 pounds HL Pollard, 2, 24, 17, FCC 7, 325 pounds EG Powell, 19, 13, 30, FCC19 (alt), 250 pounds EH Pratt, 2, 26, 19, A1, 250 pounds HJ Price, 3, 20, 20, FCC 9 (alt), 425 pounds WE Ross, 3, 8, 5, FCC 9, 500 pounds HS Richards, 19, 6, 7, A2 PSCD, 500 pounds E Richardson, 19, 12, 7, FCC 9 (alt), 400 pounds TC Ridgeway, 19, 4, 12, FCC 9 (alt), 350 pounds ER Ridgley, 11, 10, 10, FCC 26, 275 pounds GA Rittinger, 3, 37, 3, FCC 4, 425 pounds CEF Roach, 11, 10, 20, FCC 26, 210 pounds AS Robertson, 19, 6, 5, A3 (alt), 400 pounds AR Savage, 11, 11, 3, FCC 26, 200 pounds P Scott-Williams, 3, 37, 8, FCC 12 (alt), 325 pounds HT Shannon, - two numbers for each - first allotted and second reserved: 13 & 13, 23 & 23, 9 & 19, FCC 9 (alt) 300 pounds & 225 pounds WH Sharwood, 3, 4, 11, DC3, 600 pounds W H Sharwood, 3, 8, 2, reserved, 600 pounds HJ Sheehan, 3, 3, 1, DC 2, 600 pounds TB Simmonds, 19, 3, 6, FCC 9 (alt), 400 pounds AC Smith, 3, 37, 2, FCC 20 (alt), 400 pounds E Smith, (two sets of numbers - first allotted & second reserved): 3 & 19, 21 & 13, 9 & 5, FCC 7 (alt) 400 pounds & 275 pounds EWH Solly, 19, 6, 15, FCC 8 (alt) 400 pounds CH Spurgeon, 3, 3, 28, Bc3, 450 pounds JH Starling, 3, 4, 4, Dc3, 500 pounds WR Steel, 19, 4, 11, FCC 19, 350 pounds F Steward, 13, 30, 5, FCC 10, 260 pounds F Strachan, 19, 6, 11, FCC 12, 475 pounds FL Sullivan, 19, 12, 3, FCC 9 400 pounds RS Shannon, 3, 20, 9, FCC 10, 320 pounds WC Taylor, 11, 9, 14, FCC 26, 225 pounds HS Temperley, 3, 21, 6, FCC 9 (alt), 400 pounds AC Terrill, 3, 38, 14, FCC 12, 350 pounds CJ Tetaz crossed out - see supplementary list H Thomson, 19, 4, 9, FCC 22, 300 pounds PJ Tipping, 19, 4, 9, FCC 9, 400 pounds J Terrance, 13, 31, 12, FCC 10, 325 pounds AR Townsend, 3, 20, 12, FCC9 , 320 pounds A Trivett, two sets of numbers - allotted and reserved: 13 & 13, 37 & 35, 14 & 15, FCC 9 (alt) 325 pounds & 285 pounds E H Tudor, 3, 1A, 3, FCC 20 AS Tyson, 11, 9, 17, FCC 26 (alt), 200 pounds F Uran, 3, 4, 18, Dc3, 600 pounds HE Vernon, 11, 7, 12, FCC 26, 165 pounds Bruce Warren, 19, 6, 8, FCC20, 400 pounds EH Warren, 11, 13, 13, FCC 26 EB Westwood, 2, 24, 16, FCC 7 (alt), 325 pounds CCM Whitley crossed out J Whittle, own plan JP Whyte, 3, 23, 7, A1 (alt) 500 pounds SA Wilkes, 13, 38, 14, FCC 7, 325 pounds AE Wilson, 3, 23, 5, FCC9, 500 pounds WE Woods, 19, 4, 7, FCC7, 325 pounds HJ Yeend, 2, 28, 5, FCC 10, 275 Australian Archives 1530/1 27/2273 Canberra - List of Officers to be transferred; (notation next to names July 1926) Name R McK. Oakley ET Hall M Abbott JJF Kennedy H Thomson AJ Berry JRD O'Loughlin AR Townsend TH Garrett TB Simonds TC Ridgeway CF Comerford AN Trask CO Green HH Rushton WFC Kenealy HJ Price CR McColl FA Meere GJ Browning TJ Brennan FW Lavender J Maher AC Moore EH Warren B Warren JW Armstrong MT Farrell WG Duffy C Curry R Bossence PH Born Several names pencilled in - AC Moore AG Palthorpe (?) S Chapman Designation Comptroller - General Assis Comptroller - Gen Chief Surveyor Clerk 2nd Class Clerk 2nd Class Clerk 2nd Class Clerk 3rd Class Accountant 3rd Class Clerk 3rd Class Clerk 3rd Class Clerk 3rd Class Clerk 3rd Class Clerk 4th Class Clerk 4th Class Clerk 4th Class Clerk 4th Class Clerk 4th Class Clerk 4th Class Clerk 4th Class Clerk 4th Class Clerk 4th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Salary (pounds) 2,000 1,200 805 569 549 509 489 489 474 449 419 469 399 399 399 399 379 379 312 300 359 289 289 289 289 289 289 289 348 269 289 289 Single Officers MJ Brownrigg PJ Horan *TJ Sullivan JAW Wareing KJ Corrigan FJ Marcusson RS Steward VJ Oxenham RW Thompson D Duff *J Cork HA Clapson OA Bertelson F Entwistle GA Gannan T Beech J Denahy GE Hayes JF Lawrence JF Hughes H Gayton WB Pearce BA McKenna AJ Minogue HKH Cooke Names marked with * have dependents Miss MF Hosken Miss AE Steele Miss SA Moore Miss VSJ Gaved Miss EA Masorini Miss I J Deering Miss JF Hanrahan Miss MG Fielder Miss MG Cann Miss A M Brown Miss S C Austin Miss O Treneweth Miss E Walsh Miss M Dow Miss NF Inchley Miss I E Shanahan Miss EE McCutchan Chief Clerk Senior Clerk Clerk 3rd Class Clerk 4th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Clerk 5th Class Assistant Messenger Assistant Messenger Assistant Messenger Assistant Messenger Assistant Messenger Assistant Messenger Assistant Messenger Assistant Messenger Assistant Messenger Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist 780 589 489 399 300 257 289 289 289 269 289 289 289 269 289 227 204 95 149 125 149 95 149 107 77 202 196 190 196 190 172 107 107 107 149 149 175 107 95 125 175 196 Another list in Australian Archives - A461/7 G6/1/1 has another list of names. In order - Name of Officer, Position, Married or Single, Number in Family, Approx Salary in pounds: ADMINISTRATIVE H P Brown, Secretary, married, -, 2500 A Bennett, Chief Inspector, married, 7, 800 JCT Vardon, Chief Clerk, married, 4, 705 P Howe, Chief Clerk, married, 4, 705 MB Harry, Inspector, married 5, 640 HW Conolly, Inspector, married, 4, 576 TA Miller, Senior Clerk, 3, 589 E Dean, Clerk, Class 2, married, 5, 569 JP Rorke, Clerk, Class 3, married, 5, 489 HW Liston, Clerk, Class 3, married, 4, 419 AJ Odgers, Clerk, Class 4, married, 4, 399 PV Leonard, Clerk, Class 4, (in -pencil 5), married, 6, 399 CE Hall, Clerk, Class 4, married, 5, 399 J Groves, Clerk, Class 4, married, 6, 399 MA Brophy, Clerk, Class 4, single, 1, 399 W Taylor, Clerk, Class 4, married, 3, 399 AC Bain, Clerk, Class 4, single, 1, 399 LP Lohan, Clerk, Class 4, single, 1, 344 FJ Orr, Clerk, Class 5, married, 3, 289 G StNN Trask, Clerk, Class 5, married, 4, 289 SRR Plummer, Clerk, Class 5, married, 3, 289 ACJ Cook, Clerk, Class 5, married, 3, 289 CG Baglin, Clerk, Class 5, single, 1, 289 JWJ Homden, Clerk, Class 5, married, 2, 289 NR Walker, Clerk, Class 5, single, 1, 289 AK Johnson, Clerk, Class 5, single, 1, 289 A Brown, Clerk, Class 5, single, 1, 269 J McNair, Assistant, married, 4, 239 AW Cox, Assistant, single, 1, 233 JL Sharkey, Min Messenger, married, 3, 257 J Cronin, Sen Messenger, married, 6, 239 JA Swanson, Messenger, single, 1, 183 WW Jenvey, Messenger, single, 1, 149 EH Breen, Messenger, single, 1, 107 CHIEF ELCTRICAL ENGINEER'S BRANCH JM Crawford, Chief Electrical Engineer, married, 5, 1050 JG Kilpatrick, Sup Engineer, married, 6, 638 SW Gleed, Sup Engineer, married, 2, 638 E Becher, Sup Engineer, married 4, 638 SH Witt, Sup Engineer, married, 2, 575 C Faragher, Engineer, married, 2, 449 FE Moore, Engineer, married, 4, 468 C McHenry, Engineer, married, 6, 449 SFE Liebert, Engineer, single, 1, 389 RJ Attkins, Engineer, single, 1, 389 EP Wright, Engineer, single, 1, 371 A Horner, Clerk, Class 3, married, 5, 489 WM Keane, Clerk, Class 4, married, 7, 399 JTA Smedhurst, Clerk, Class4, married, 5, 379 EJ Stanes, Clerk, Class 5, married, 3, 289 HM Elliott, Clerk, Class 5, married, 2, 289 EJ Credlin, Clerk, Class 5, married, 2, 289 HE Evered, Assistant, married 4, 239 R Logan, Messenger, single, 1, 125 TG Levisohn, Engineer, married, 3, 468 TELEPHONE BRANCH LB Fanning, Superintendent, married, 4, 680 GT Chippindall, Traffic Officer, married, 4, 420 PER Vanthoff, Clerk, Class 3, married, 2, 420 FTH Needham, Clerk, Class 4, married, 5, 399 HS Kelly, Clerk, Class 5, married, 4, 289 TELEGRAPHS AND WIRELESS BRANCH J Malone, Chief Manager, married, 3, 780 J Lawrence, Clerk, Class 2, married 4, 569 JM Martin, Radio Inspector, married, 3, 489 J O'Kelly, Clerk, Class 4, single, 1, 359 EL Greig, Clerk, Class 5, married, 3, 289 SJ Williams, Messenger, single, 1, 107 CHIEF ACCOUNTANT'S OFFICE GG Haldane, Chief Accountant, married, 3, 850 J Murray, Senior Clerk, married, 5, 640 DR McLean, Clerk, Class 3, married, 5, 489 IH Rossignol, Clerk, Class 3, married, 6, 439 RH Faragher, Clerk, Class 3, married, 5, 419 PM Dober, Clerk, Class 4, married, 3, 399 WS Tregear, Clerk, Class 4, married, 2, 379 SG Griffiths, Clerk, Class 4, married, 3, 309 GO Heyward, Clerk, Class 5, single, 1, 289 GA Codner, Clerk, Class 5, single, 1, 289 M Ridgway, Clerk, Class 5, married, 3, 257 FR Murphy, Messenger, single, 1, 107 UNATTACHED GFA Cotton, Assistant, single, 1, 227 TR Suckling, Assistant, single, 1, 227 FEMALE STAFF EM Griffin, Senr Assistant, 1, 220 MV Walsh, typist, 1, 184 CA Love, typist, 1, 202 CF Breheny, typists, 1, 202 MA Crook, typist, 1, 178 FM Terrell, typist, 1, 149 K Coffey, typist, 1, 166 LBG Maclaren, typist, 1, 202 AV Townsend, typist, 1, 125 MT McGrath, typist, 1, 107 The total number of staff is 79 males and 10 females = total of 89 Assuming that the staff has increased by 10% when the removal to Canberra is effected, 98 officers - 87 males and 11 females - will be concerned in the transfer. Of the present male staff 57 are married and 22 un-married. Background letter: Australian Archives A/1 27/17113/ part 1 Dated: 14/9/1926 MEMORANDUM Housing at Canberra for Public Servants It is now necessary to consider the position in regard to two aspects of this question - The Types of houses, the costs thereof, and other questions relating to construction. What method, if any, should be adopted to compensate Public Servants for the higher costs of building at Canberra compared with Melbourne. Question No 2 will be dealt with separately. Question No 1 is dealt with hereunder. Before proceeding to a detailed consideration of the housing position it is well to remember the following facts:- On the 21st December 1925 Mr Butters [First Commissioner 1925-1929] stated in reference to the proposal that the first transfer should consist of approximately: 643 Departmental Officer 83 Parliamentary Officers 111 Members of Parliament 1000 Government Printer's staff 23 Government House Officers and sundry "Both office and housing accommodation for this alternative scheme can be provided by the end of March 1927 if authority is given by the end of January 1926." The necessary authority was given on the 6th January 1926. It may be stated that the number of Departmental Officers including Parliamentary and Governor-General's official staff, has since been fixed at 534 instead of 749 as estimated above. The Commission issued in June 1926 a pamphlet dated April 1926, containing information regarding Canberra and setting out standard types of houses for which contracts had already been let. Public Servants were invited to choose their future homes from those designs. Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed by Public Servants, and the Public Service (Canberra) Committee submitted 2 types, which the Commission agreed to accept as Standard types. [NB a facsimile of the book handed to Public Servants is available from the National Trust ACT Branch in the Canberra suburb of Griffith]. The Parliamentary Joint Committee of Public Works recently enquired into the question of Cottage construction. Its report (without the evidence) was submitted to the Commission which has replied to it. The Commission has not yet been supplied with copy of the evidence. The evidence has not been finally printed but I have secured a proof copy. Salient features of the position may be gleaned from the attached Statement A showing the Public Works Committee's recommendations and the Commission's replies, and statement B setting out most of the evidence regarding timber houses. No action is proposed on the following recommendations of the Public Works Committee:- Encourage the building of cottages in numbers up to 5 by small contractors. (Par 32) Bring construction costs within 5% or 7and half percent of Sydney prices.(Par 33) Extend period of rental purchase to 45 years. Reduce cost of smaller types of concrete houses to at least 15% below the cost of similar brick houses. (Par 45). No practical means are suggested by the Committee for giving effect to (a), (b) and (k). In regard to (e) it is suggested that the present term of 35 years is a very liberal term for repayment of the cost of a brick house. If the term were extended to 45 years the individual would certainly not feel any sense of future proprietorship. Further information is awaited from the Commission in regard to Reduce the valuation placed on residential blocks of Public Servants (Par 34). Arrange for the Federal Capital Commission to carry its own fire insurance. Eliminate at adoption of purchaser 125 pounds charge for extras, leaving the occupier to provide them under supervision. Mr Butters informed the Committee that this amount was made up as follows:- Fuel Store and Tool Shed 50 pounds Formation of footpaths 25 pounds Preparing for, and planting hedge on front line 5 pounds Contingencies (not to be charged if not incurred) 45 pounds Total: 125 pounds In reply to the Committee's recommendation, the Commission has stated that for the time being tool sheds and fuel stores will not be proceeded with. Public Servants will be given an opportunity to state whether they require the Commission to construct them. The Commission considers that it should plant the hedge and form the footpaths, and this I think is reasonable. All Departments and the Public Service Committee will be informed of the altered arrangements in regard to this item. Other recommendations of the Public Works Committee are: Reduce cost of fencing Reduce overhead and supervision charge of 2 and half percent. c. Providing for officials and receiving salary of 400 pounds and under each brick cottages of the standard of War Service Homes Commission. Allow officials in receipt of 400 pounds and under to select timber dwellings provided that not more than 5% of such dwellings are allowed in any brick group. These will be dealt with in greater details. Fencing The Commission pamphlet stated that side and back fencing would cost 5/- per running foot. "A simple trellis work may sometimes be desired between the side of the house and the side line… That is an important item which can best be settled when the officer is installed in his home." The Public Service Committee objected to the price of 5/-. In reply the Commission stated that it was not prepared to carry as an asset a fence of less substantial character than that which had been adopted. The Commission has since reduced the price to 4/- per foot. The Public Works Committee has pointed out that this is much too high and should be reduced, seeing that fence costs in the States vary from about 2/- to 2/6d per foot. The Commission now says "The Committee has not observed that the price of fencing includes a well constructed lattice fence between the side lines and the house on both sides on the house. This lattice fencing is much more expensive that the side-line fencing but for simplicity it has been averaged." Obviously this is unfair to the future occupant. As the booklet says, the lattice fence may be constructed if the occupant so desires. Many purchasers will put up their own lattice and in any case there will be little of it compared with the amount of side and back fence. It is recommended that the Commission be informed that it is not reasonable to "average"the price of the lattice, and ordinary paling, fences, and that it be requested to submit separate prices for each type. Supervision Charges The original charge was 7% made up as follows: Interest 3% Architectural costs including designing and continuously inspecting the buildings during construction 3% General Administration 1% Total - 7% As a result of representations by the Public Service Committee the total rate was reduced to 4 and half percent made up as follows: Interest - 1 and half percent Other charges referred to as above 3% Total 4 and half percent The public Works Committee has recommended that the charge be further reduced to 2 and half percent and the Commission has asked that it be furnished with the figures upon which the Committee bases its contention that the rate might be reduced. I think that the Commission might first be asked to justify its figure of 4 and half percent. The rate at which the Commission is borrowing money from the Commonwealth Bank for housing purposes is 5 and half percent. It may be assumed that any one house would not take more than 5 months to build if the individual concerned were making his own arrangements. Moreover installments are usually made after the work has progressed. The correct amount of interest chargeable to the individual would be slightly less than one fourth of the annual rate. One fourth of 5 and half percent is 1 and three-eighths percent and I think that a charge of 1 and quarter percent for interest would be reasonable. It then remains to assess a reasonable figure for designing, supervising, and general administration. There are 24 designs in the pamphlet issued by the Commission. Some officers are accepting these without alteration, and some with alterations. A few will probably submit special designs. Generally speaking the stock specifications will stand. An average charge of 3 pounds 3 shillings for each of the 300 odd houses would, in my opinion be more sufficient to cover all reasonable costs in regard to this item. Taking the low figure of 1200 pounds as the average cost per house (it will be much more) we get the figure of quarter percent for designing. Supervision in one case of 300 houses being constructed in a compact area should not be heavy. It may be assumed that the average number of houses under construction at any one time will not be more than 150 (I think it will be less). If each house were inspected twice a week, that would involve 300 inspections per week. If inspections were made on 5 days per week, 60 per day would be necessary. Even if 5 inspectors at 500 pounds per annum were exclusively employed on this work the total outlay for the 12 months time in which it is expected the houses will be completed would be 25000 pounds, which would amount to three quarters of a percent if we again allow an average price of 1200 pounds per house for the 300 houses. Thus we have Interest 1 and quarter percent Designing one quarter percent Inspections 2 and quarter percent. If three quarters percent were added for General Administration I think the Commission would be amply repaid for all expenses properly chargeable to House construction and we would g et a figure of 3% to cover everything. It is recommended that the Commission be asked to furnish details on the respective items making up the charge of 4 and half percent. Cheaper Types of Houses The outstanding difficulty of the whole housing question is the problem of providing suitable homes within the means of the lower paid officers. The cheapest brick house amongst the Commission's types is 1225 pounds. To this must be added the supervision charge, and the cost of fencing. At the present rates this would amount to about 120 pounds giving a figure of over1300 pounds for the cheapest brick house without land. The pamphlet contains 4 plans of wooded houses, viz:- 1, 3 Rooms, Laundry, Bathroom, Verandah 900 pounds 2. do 1000 pounds 3. 4 Rooms, Laundry, Bathroom, 2 Verandahs (rent only) 30/ per week 4. do " The rent of No 1 would be approximately 25/- per week and of No 2, 27/6d per week. This attached Statement B contains reference to the evidence given before the Public Works Committee on the subject of wooden houses (reference is also made to the "Ideal Home Ltd" and to fibrous cement construction generally). The only immediate prospect of providing cheaper housing appears to be through an extension of timber construction and the adoption of the "Ideal Home Ltd"offer on a smaller scale than 100 cottages. In his evidence before the Public Works Committee, Sir John Harrison stated that in his opinion the Commission's weatherboard cottages were more economical and of sounder construction that the "Ideal Home" and he could see no reason to recommend negotiations with the Company. The Commission in its reply to our request for an expression of view regarding this type stated that the design and construction present no advantages which would make it desirable for the Commission to accept the offer of the Company to construct 100 cottages of the Ideal Home design for 750 pounds each. These cottages would be on brick foundations with timber frame, fibro-cement and for supertex with tiled roof. A copy of the plan of this type of house is attached. The plan is rather indistinct but it is clear enough to convey to me the impression that in design it is infinitely superior to the Commission's 4 designs and timber houses and much cheaper. The following comparison should be noted: Commission types W& R D1 Bedrooms 1 Sleepout - Living Room 1 Kitchen 1 Dining Alcove - Verandahs & Porches 1 Cost: 900 pds W&R D2 1 - 1 1 - 1 1000 pounds FCC 25 2 - 1 1 - 2 approx 1125 pounds FCC 26 2 - 1 1 - 2 approx 1125 pounds Ideal Home 2 1 provided with dressing room 1 1 1 2 750 pounds (or according to Sir John Harrison's evidence, 875 pounds in Canberra It will be observed that the "Ideal Home" has a sleep out, and a Dining Alcove, not possessed by the Commission's timber houses. Moreover the Living Room is larger than those provided in the Commission's timber houses, The Commission has stat3ed that one or two additional types of wooden houses are being prepared and will be forwarded as soon as they are available. It is recommended that, in addition to urging the Commission to expedite the supply of the additional types of wooden house, we impress upon that body that it is necessary that steps be taken before the transfer, to solve the problem of cheap accommodation for low paid officers. The Commission should state precisely why it does not favour the design and specification of the Ideal Home which, it is suggested we should state, appears to be superior to the Commission's timber types, and seems likely, if adopted to go far towards solving the problem. I think we might further inform the Commission that it is considered that Public Servants should be given an opportunity of viewing the plans of the Ideal Home. Should it be selected by any officers, negotiations could be entered into with Ideal Homes Ltd., with a view to obtaining a price for the number required. It is also suggested that Sir Chas Rosenthal's evidence regarding timber houses be brought under the notice of the Commission, with a request for comments upon his opinion that the construction of superior timber houses in the same areas as brick houses, would not be undesirable. With regard to the Commission's referenced to the great rush of work entailed in the construction of homes for public servants in time for the transfer upon the date decided upon by the Government it is desirable to bear in mind, that the Government did not decided upon any date until the Commission stated definitely that office and housing accommodation could be provided by March 1927. It cannot therefore be contended that the Government's policy has involved the Commission in a programme which it would not have otherwise undertaken. 14/9/1926 Australian Archives A461/7 13/2/2 part 1 Document dates 1st March, 1927 TRANSFER TO CANBERRA ALLOWANCES TO PUBLIC SERVANTS The Prime Minister stated yesterday that a new Regulation had been issued by the Public Service Board of Commissioners providing for allowances to be paid to officers who are transferred to Canberra. The new Regualtion which was approved by the Executive Council yesterday, is as follows:- 97B (1) Subject to the approval of the Board, an officer, who, by reason of the removal or anticipated removal of his Department, is compulsorily transferred to Canberra, may be prepaid, until otherwise determined by the Board, a special allowance in accordance with the following scales:- Scales of Allowance Salary of officer 400 pounds & under 401 to 600 pounds 601 to 1,000 pnds 1001 & upwards Married Officer who purchases, builds or rents a house at Canberra Rate per annum 54 pounds 63 pounds 69 pounds 75 pounds Married Officer other than as specified in A Rate per annum 39 pounds 39 pounds 39 pounds 39 pounds Unmarried Officer Rate per annum 26 pounds 26 pounds 26 pounds 26 pounds (2) The scale of allowance applicable and the date from which it is payable shall in each case be determined by the Board (3) Salary for the purpose of this regulation shall be deemed to be the salary payable to the officer on 1st July, 1927 provided that in the case of an officer transferred prior to 1st July, 1927, salary until that date shall be deemed to be the salary received at date of transfer. (4) If in the opinion of the Board the provisions of this regulation should be applied to the case of any officer transferred to Canberra prior to the date of this regulation, allowance as prescribed in this regulation may be paid the officer from a date to be determined by the Board. (5) For the purpose of this regulation a married officer shall include a widower with dependent children and any officer maintaining dependents whose circumstances in the opinion of the board justifiy inclusion. Although these allowances may seem generous they were not. Cost of living in Canberra was far higher than the state capitals, the size of cottages available much smaller than cottages for similar rental prices in other cities. Construction workers received no allowances.
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