LAND AND HOUSING
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and re-submissions of building works of all kinds were received by the Building Authority and a total of 12,637 approval permits were issued.
In spite of the hectic re-development of recent years there are still very many pre-war buildings in the Colony. Deterioration of some of them has been accelerated by the effects of neglect during the war, by the high winds and torrential rains of most summers and by the overcrowding resulting from the huge increase in the population. Sudden collapse of buildings in this condition is an ever-present danger accentuated by the vibration of piling and the encroachments of other foundation works, such as excava- tion, on adjoining sites. Because of this the powers of the Building Authority were extended in September to allow close control and, if necessary, prohibition of building work which might endanger adjoining property.
The effect of this legislation has been to bring increasingly to light the condition of old buildings, with the result that the number of closure orders obtained by the Building Authority and con- sequently the number of persons dispossessed has greatly increased. The figure for this year was 34,726. The circumstances of these people were considered when policy on squatter control, resettlement and low-cost housing was reviewed and arrangements have been made for them which are detailed later in this chapter.
Other new legislation empowers the Building Authority to require a certificate from the Director of Fire Services in relation to the installation of fire-service equipment, before giving his approval to plans; minor alterations in the Building Regulations have also been made so that plumbing in all new buildings will be suitable for the use of salt water, which is expected eventually to become normal for new flushing-water supplies.
RESETTLEMENT AND HOUSING
Housing provided directly by Government ranges from resettle- ment accommodation which meets urgent needs of the lowest income groups, though low-cost housing flats for those with less than $400 a month to the flats built by the Housing Authority for families with incomes between $400 and $900 a month. Assistance above this level, for the $900 to $2,000 a month wage earner, will