EVICTING A TENANT

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 86, 6 January 1926, Page 8

EVICTING A TENANT

WRECKING GANG PULLS PLACE TO PIECES By •Telegraph—Special CvkrEsl’onPENt Auckland, January’ 5 A small sensation was caused in the vicinity of Eden Park yesterday, when the eviction of a tenant and the demolition of her home was carried out. A “wrecking gang” commenced to pull the place to pieces shortly after noon, and by 5 p.m. the “home” was no more. There was the tenant with all her goods and chattels round her sitting on the footpath, whilst her husband stood talking to a policeman. As late as 10.15 p.m. the woman and her husband were still on the footpath surrounded by what was left of their home. A large crowd of interested spectators had gathered, jind someone suggested taking round the hat. The idea was taken up with enthusiasm, and a fair amount was collected. *

The history of the affair gees back some months. The place was a shop, at which soft drinks and such like things were sold. It was not a dwelling, but simply a lock-up shop. As far back as last October, complaints concerning it were received bv the Mount Albert Borough Council, and an inspection took place. Following this, the Health Department sent out representatives to make further investigations. Tn the meantime more complaints of the alleged insanitary nature of the whole premises were made by residents, and as a result it was deemed expedient that what is termed a "closing order” should be issued. It was discoveivd that the tenant was living on the premises. Tlie shop portion had been partitioned off by g curtain, behind which the cooking and eating of food took place. Underneath the “dug-out,” as it was called, was an improvised bedroom, the floor of which was marie of mother earth. The tenant was told that site had to give tip living on the premises and make certain alterations. This, it is alleged, she refused to do, ami later on brought her husband to live with her at the place. Repeated requests for her to vacate the premises proved unavailing, and the final result was the issuing of a demolition order, which toik effect yesterday.