IT DOESN'T SOUND SUITABLY HOUSED'

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1948, Page 6

IT DOESN'T SOUND SUITABLY HOUSED'

"ORDER for possession suspended until February I—if it becomes necessary you can file an application for further suspension,” commented Mr W. C. Harley, S.M., at the Whangarei Court today when hearing a claim for possession of a house in Zealandia Street, Whangarei. Robert Gabell, cabinet-maker (Mr H. G. W. Bagley) claimed possession of his house in Zealandia Street, tenanted by, on sufferance, Lionel. Charles Baker, truck driver, of Whangarei.

Notice to quit had been served on October 5. Gabell also claimed £4/10/as mesne profits (money in lieu of rent) from November 3 to November 30. Baker was represented by the officer in charge of the Labour and Employment Department (Mr E. S. Coleman) .

advised to acquire better accommodation. Gabell therefore claimed possession of his house in Zealandia Street. The Whangarei High School Board had already claimed possession of the rooms Gabell was occupying at Lupton House. He had been given notice to quit on August 28 last year, as the premises were required for reconstruction of the high school. EIGHT YEARS’ TENANCY Robert Gabell, aged 70, said Baker became his tenant about eight years ago. He had first paid 17/6 a week. but. as another room had been added to the house, the rent had been raised to £2/2/0. Gabell said he had been living at Lupton House for over four years. He had formerly been living in the Zoalandia Street house, but had left with his wife to work at Mangapai. He had hacl an understanding with Baker then that the house would be made available on his (Gabell's) return.

Mr Bagley said Gabell was the tenant of rooms in Lupton House, at the Whangarei High School,. Because of ill-health, he and his wife had been

To Mr Coleman, Gabell said the health of both his wife and himself had deteriorated during his four years at Lupton House. He occupied a big kitchen, a bedroom, and had (he use of a bathroom. Tne roof leaked, but, as the premises were to be reconstructed, (he High School Board had declined to repair it. Gabell said he was a cleaner at the school. He would draw the old-age pension if he could get into his house., IN SITTING ROOM Lionel Charles Baker said he had been in Gabell’s house for nine years, and was now paying £2/2/6 a week rent. His rent had been up-to-date until it had been refused. The house comprised one kitchen, one sitting room and one bedroom, besides conveniences. He had two children. both boy-s, aged eight and nine, who slept in the sitting-room. He said he had tried to get another house, even out of Whangarei. The State Advances Corporation had classed him as “suitably housed." “It does not sound very suitably housed, does it?” commented the magistrate. “If I put you out. where are you going?” he asked. “On the street, sir; that’s all,” answered Baker. ORDER SUSPENDED To Mr Coleman, he said he would be willing to take a job in the country, provided the wages and house available were reasonable. He said no man could live on £5 a week. He had first applied for a state house four years ago. Baker told Mr Bagley. He had last heard from the State Advances Corporation about a month ago, when he was classed as “suitably housed.” When he took the house he had not agreed to leave it when Gabell returned. He had been looking for a house for six years. About four years ago a State Advances inspector had inspected the house, and had visited him again about two years ago. Mr Harley then suspended the order for possession until February 1, and adjourned the High School Board’s claim until that date.