Travellers’ Plight

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 49, 27 February 1943, Page 4

Travellers’ Plight

SEARCH TOR ACCOMMODATION IN WELLINGTON Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 26. Money could not buy a bed in Wellington last night for an elderly man who arrived from Nelson yesterdaj’. Though he had £2O in his possession and said he would pay almost any price for a bed, ho was glad to sleep, fully clothed and huddled in a blanket, on the floor of a shed. Three women from Taranaki were among others who, as a last resource, called at the Taranaki Street police station and asked if bods could possibly be found for them in tho city. They were accommodated under makeshift, conditions, through tho kindliness of one rooming-house proprietress after they had walked the streets, carrying their luggage, for hours after arriving by the 6 p.m. express. They were unable to obtain a taxi at the station, nor was one available subsequently for tlieir city-wide search for accommodation. Circumstances over which they had no control accounted for these people being in Wellington without prior booking of accommodation. Practically every night of the week, it is stated, people with tho means to pay for their board call at a police station in Wellington to ask if any accommodation can be found for them. Suggestions have more than once been made that a night’s lodging in a prison cell would bo acceptable. The use of sofas, floors and any other places for a night’s sleep is stated to be quite frequent. Tho action of Government authorities in taking over a number of guest houses, or private hotels formerly available in tho city is said to have greatly increased the difficulty in securing accommodation.