UNHEALTHY PREMISES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21285, 12 September 1932, Page 11

UNHEALTHY PREMISES

CHINESE OPIUM QUARTERS POLICE RAID DISCLOSURES FILTHY STATE OF THE ROOMS The unhealthy living conditions of Chinese who use premises in Grey's Avenue for opium smoking or pakapoo playing have been brought prominently to the notice of the city sanitary authorities as (he result of several recent police raids. Within a chain or two of the sanitary inspector's office in Hie Town Hall raiding parties have disclosed conditions stated to he indescribably filthy.

-An outstanding instance was brought to light recently, when premises in Yclverton Terrace were raided twice within a short period. On the first occasion tho detectives had to climb on to tho roof and cut a hole in the ceiling of the upper storey before they could enter the building. They found the doors and windows so heavily barricaded that no fresh air could circulate. The detectives later said that they moved in dirt and filth. There were no sanitary arrangements as generally known. -According to their description the bath seemed to have been used as a receptacle for all waste. The stove was housed in the same room as that used by thp smokers. It, bore no evidenco of having been cleaned and was choked with ashes and paper. Detectives who raided the premises on the. next occasion found somewhat similar conditions. They had the good fortune to enter without opposition and literally walked in on the Chinese, who were busy with their pipes. -All available floor space in two rooms was taken up by smokers. The detectives found it almost impossible to walk across the rooms without treading on someone. There was little opportunity for a quick exit in case of fire. Due to the very nature of his business, the owner of an opium den in Auckland cannot afford to givo his clients a maximum of comfort. The buildings are generally honeycombed with rat-holes and would not ordinarily be accepted as living quarters. Tho smoker lies cn the bare floor, with a wooden block .for a pillow and generally the covering of a rug. He cannot enjoy his pipe in surroundings as comfortable as a legalised Eastern opium den.

Although premises in Grey's Avenue are visited more often than those in other parts of the city, the sanitary inspectors find it somewhat difficult to control the nuisance. When Chinese arc moved from one building they very often appear in another. Realising that their tenancy is likely to be short, they are not very greatly concerned as to tho sanitary arrangements.