HOUSING IN AUCKLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22243, 18 October 1935, Page 15

HOUSING IN AUCKLAND

Sir,—This fair city of ours has been described as "Last, loneliest, loveliest," and we are glad that Nature or—l would prefer a more personal name—has so endowed Auckland that it should call forth from many visitors expressions of deep and sincere appreciation and pleasure. Nevertheless, amid all that is "bright and beautiful" there are some things in our midst that ought not to be, and one is the condition of many of tho houses in the more central part of our city. No one can pass through somo of tho streets without a feeling that renovations are much overdue, and that immediate action is necessary. Several years ago, if my memory serves me correctly, the City Council undertook a survey and reported: "A number of houses were in such a state that they ought to be demolished, others required renovations and improvements, but in view of the extreme shortage of house accommodation no immediate action should be taken." That report was made several years ago, and so far as I know little, if any, action has been taken. We have within the city area hundreds of houses that, from the outside view, sadly need attention, and I fear a close inspection of the interior would bo an unpleasant revelation, and yet nothing is done. I note that the City Council is proposing to build blocks of fiats. Well, that may bo quite right. I am, however, not fully convinced that the time has arrived for municipal action on those lines, and certainly the last experiment did not prove a success either to tho tenants or the council, and certainly not to tho ratepayers. I respectfully suggest that tho council immediately get its inspectors to work; possibly it could increase the number for this sppcial work by utilising members from other branches that are not just now particularly busy, so that interim reports can bo given at each council meeting. What is tho hurry, say some readers. Well, [ hear of an old lady living in one room, rent Bs, and which is so smoky that the old lady is badly affected, and the owner will not do anything to remedy the nuisance. Another case, a cottage recently taken and n good rent paid, the tenants find that underneath and around tho house there is so much rubbish that rats flourish—so does the landlord, but the tenants suffer, and the owner will do nothing. Such cases could be multiplied many times. It is obvious that tenants can do nothing, but wo citizens can and ought to do something, and do it quickly, and this should be done, I think, through our representatives the City Council. F. N. Andrews.