CROWDS IN THE CITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17139, 19 April 1919, Page 8

CROWDS IN THE CITY.

ACCOMMODATION TAXED.

LODGING AT A PREMIUM.

MORE ACUTE THAN FOR YEARS Accommodation in the Auckland hotels and boardinghouses is usually well sought after during the Easter Holidays, but this year the position is much more acute Ithan has been the case for many years. The steady trend of settlement to the North lias created a very serious shortage of houses in Auckland, and many people have consequently been compelled to live in hotels and boardinghouses while many buildings formerly used as boardinghouses have been turned into flats and apartmenthouses. The natural result has been a considerable reduction in the accommodation available for visitors at holiday seasons, and a crisis seems to have been reached at this Easter period. The proprietor of one large city hotel stated yesterday that during the last week he had refused at least 200 people accommodation, and this in a hotel doing a high-class trade. He was in the unfortunate position of being unable to provide rooms for many who had telegraphed for accommodation, and had left on the journey to Auckland before he could advise them of the position. The proprietor of another hotel, placed in the same pos.ition, has been compelled to arrange sleeping accommodation for hit guests in other buildings, at the same time making provision for supplying them with meals at the hotel. A great many of the Niagara's through passengers,, who have been delayed it Auckland as the result of the vessel's de tention here, have endeavoured to secure temporary quarters ashore until the steamei sails, but few of them were able So makf satisfactory arrangements. The hotels and boardinghouses usually frequented by Easfter visitors and race' goers have their full quota of guests, and at late as Thursday night the proprietors of many were being besieged by latecomers, who were prepared to sleep in sitting and smoke rooms, so long as they could at least be 6ure of a bed. i