THE RIGHTS OF A LANDLORD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7564, 7 May 1919, Page 8

THE RIGHTS OF A LANDLORD

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Your report of a case under this heading in this morning's "Chronicle" is inaccurate in several particulars, and is unjust to the landlord. You hea'i tho report—"Claim for possession." I expressly said that wo were not seeking to determine the tenancy in these proceedings, although I suggested thot we might have the right to do so, and the question was incidentally discussed by His Worship. What was asked was that tho tenant should not obstruct or hinder us in the work of complying with the Public Health Act and the contractor said he could not do the work with the tenant in possession. The Landlord's position was this: He was served with requisitions to comply with tho Public Health Act. He asked the tenant to give lip possession to enable him to comply with the requisitions, and the tenant refused to go. He intended when complying with the requisitions to improve the properly U- shifting the house ; but in my view that aspect of tho case was immaterial. The ten a nit is a returned soldier, and entitled to consideration as snch, and the question arose whether the duty of the landlord under Tho Public Health Act was higher than his duty to the returned tioklier. In the circumstances of the case the landlord decided to endeavour to comply with the Public Health Act. Hi.> Worship's decision was that as there, was no physical obstruction, there had been no breach of the Act by the tenant. I. am glad to say that after tho case was over, the tenant had the good sense- to accept the landlord's offer of another house.'—l am. etc..

0. PALMER BROWN