HOUSES TO BE VACATED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21951, 7 November 1934, Page 14

HOUSES TO BE VACATED

TWO CASES AT THAMES CLOSING ORDER IN FORCE [bt telegraph —OWN correspondent] THAMES, Tuesday In the Police Court before Mr. .T. H. Luxford, S.M., this morning,' Wati Brown and Edward Rare were charged by the borough commissioner with unlawfully occupying premises in Queen Street over which a closing order was in force.

The commissioner, Mr. C. L. Grange, in evidence, said the premises were in an insanitary condition, having no water supply and no sewerage connection. Several warnings had been issued to the defendants. The house in which Brown was living was boarded on only three sides.

Mr. Jensen, who appeared on behalf of Brown, said his client was a victim of circumstances. He was . a relief worker and had no other place in which to live. Counsel asked for an adjournment in order that defendant might have a chance of securing a dwelling place. The magistrate said the cases were quite different from that of a landlord seeking possession. The closing order was made by the local body in favour of public health. The houses would have to bo vacated at once. Each defendant would be convicted and ordered to pay Court costs. Should either not vacate the house and come before the Court again a heavy fine would be imposed.