FAMILY’S PLIGHT

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 232, 28 June 1935, Page 13

FAMILY’S PLIGHT

“Living in Outrageous Conditions”

HOSPITAL BOARD ACTION A description by two members of the Wellington Hospital Board of their visit to u small room in a bouse in the city, in which a destitute woman and four children were living in "an outrageous condition,” was given at last night's meeting of the board. After reference to the bousing shortage, it was stated that the board should "even go to the extent of commandeering some cilice in some public building” for the. family. "In company with Mr. Glover, 1 went yesterday to the house, which is in Taranaki Street,” said Mr. R. Holland. "•The floor area of the bedroom the family is living in is about seven feet by seven. The woman is sleeping there with four of her six children. There are rat holes in the floor, and they have to keep a dog in there at nights to keep the rats from the children. "There are just lining boards dividing the room front accommodation next door, anil the house behind. The woman was deserted by her husband 12 months ago. The position calls for-im-mediate attention. They receive charitable relief, but it is not sufficient for their needs. They receive a loaf of bread and a quart of milk a day. Accommodation Difficult. ,"I ask that the family should be moved to more suitable accommodation. The medical officer reports that one of the children has been sick. I have been looking for another house elsewhere in the city, but I found that in that part those 1 went to have been condemned.” “The superintendent says the matter is already in hand,” said the chairman, Mr. F. Castle. “But I doubt whether any accommodation is available at all,” Mr. Holland said. “It is the duty of the board to go as a body to see the conditions, to see how some people are living. It is a disgrace to the name of the city.” Mrs. S. Snow :- She is not the only one. -.

“I don’t know what the Health Department is doing allowing such a thing to go on,” said Mr. J., Glover. “We ■must do something to provide accommodation for people in their situation. They "liitve scarcely any clothing on. The children look a hit better fed, but the woman is half starved.” “Power is Limited.”

“I remember some years ago when the relief committee went around some of the worst areas,” said Mr. Castle. "But our power in relieving these needs is limited.” .< " "Isn’t it best to send on sonic recommendation to the City Council?” Mr. Holland asked.

“The first thing to-morrow morning the officers should get on the job and see what can lie done,” said Mr. G. Petherick. “I know there is a real difficulty in securing accommodation. I am meeting people every day hunting for rooms and houses. It is better even to p-ut the family in a boarding-house than to leave them where they are."