THE HOUSING PROBLEM IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13286, 19 September 1906, Page 7

THE HOUSING PROBLEM IN AUCKLAND.

A LAISSEZ FAIRE TENDENCY.

[BT telegraph.—special correspondent.]

Wellington, Tuesday. In his annual report, Dr. Frengley, districthealth officer, has again something to say regarding his points of difference with the Auckland City Council. He says :—" Generally speaking, it will be shown here that towards sanitary matters during the year, the City Council have evidenced a luissez faire when not a definitely retrograde tendency. Nothing, whatever, has been done towards the provision of workmen's dwellings or accommodation for those others who are best described in the generic term, 'very poor.' The worst of the dilapidated and insanitary buildings have been removed. There are others requiring similar treatment, but while the city authorities fail to provide housing for those turned out of these hovels it is unwise to force removal, the doing so only tending to cause congestion in other buildings verging upon the condemning stage. In September 22 condemned buildings were listed by the City Council for Court proceedings. Ultimately, however, these were reduced to six, the owners in the other instances either having effected radical improvements or promised to remove the buildings. It is to be hoped the Council will become progressive enough to make some provision for those who either must or for preference will live near the central streets, be they genuine workmen or the very poor. The wharf labourer, the shoeblack, and the sandwich-man typify the classes to be catered for. A town hall to cost over £50,000 is on the tapis. - The bare necessities of the many are to give way to eclat and benefit to a few.*'