Insanitary Housing

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22335, 24 February 1938, Page 8

Insanitary Housing

That insanitary housing conditions prevail in parts of Christchurch was not the fact that emerged most plainly from the Christchurch Drainage Board’s short discussion, reported yesterday; it was that the local authorities responsible are making only the slowest progress, if any progress at all, in reform. Some time ago the Drainage Board adopted a regulation laying down the minimal provision of baths, water closets, and sinks in converted flatbuildings; and this minimum was distressingly low. The City Council, however, according to the Deputy-Mayor, did not regard the regulation as valid, and has now informed the board, very gravely, that “ where it is considered ad- “ visable every step is taken to ensure the pro- “ vision of adequate sanitary accommodation.” This, as a formula, means nothing more nor less than that the council may order one thing here and another thing there; and that it sometimes thinks fit to approve or tolerate inadequate sanitary accommodation is distinctly stated in the letter to the board, quoted in the report. The council’s reason for this astonishing tolerance also appears; it does not seem to be a strong one. For if “ the provision “ of additional facilities would tend to perpetu- “ ate . . . undesirable buildings,” it could only be the council itself that would be responsible. The council can and should do its present duty without .seeing in that an excuse for neglecting a future duty. The Drainage Board has been impelled by the council’s action, or inaction, to press for the earliest possible summoning of the committee, representing council, board, and Health Department, which has previously considered this question. As a member of the board said, the authorities stand exactly where they were when they “ took the matter up ’; that is, more than two years ago. The board has framed a regulation, which the council will not apply; the council, in November, was drafting a by-law which, it was said, might go “ a “ long way towards removing abuses,” and of which nothing has since been heard. And the uncertainty which has existed -about the extent of legal powers to enforce a sanitary code and about the authority in which such powers inhere remains the same. It can only be said that the joint committee should meet without delay and, if it cannot see a line of advance, recommend the two local bodies to appeal to the Minister for Health for an immediate inquiry, for clear direction, and for any necessary power to act.