UNFIT DWELLINGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22988, 16 March 1938, Page 17

UNFIT DWELLINGS

NEW BRIGHTON SURVEY PACKING CASES AND TIN [■T TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] CHRISTCHUKCH, Tuesday Dwellings built of packing casgs and :flattened-oufc kerosene tins were included in tho'Se mentioned in the final report on the housing survey made in New Brighton and received at u meeting; of the New Brighton Borough Coined. The report made by the housing investigaior, Mr. "J. 1). Hicks, showed that only halt ol' the total number of 1737 houses in the borough could be classed as satisfactory. Eighty-two of them, or about l| per cent, were classified for demolition. The 1737 houses made up 1777 dwelling units, of which 1640 v ere private dwellings. Approximately half the dwellings were found to he satisfactory, the report staled.

The percentage of dwellings below standard- was, however, unsatisfactory, but \va.; not as high as could bo expeeled, considering that hundreds of these dwellings were originally intended onlv for week-end and summer use, and not as they were found to-day for permanent dwellings. "In the many cases where there is almost an entire lack of conveniences •the occupants cannot have a "rosy" tinif, being without water on the premises, lacking sinks, baths, lavatory oasins, washtubs, and drainage," Mr. Hicks states. "Usually the only conveniences are electric light, an open fireplace or a. tin for heating and cooking." Tie suggestion thai; it would be a good ihing it ;i certificate of fitness were made compulsory whenever houses being let was endorsed by Mr. Hicks. Possibly, he said, that was the only sure' method of ensuring that every family which was compelled by fori'o of circumstances to live in a rented house would have conveniences and conditions necessary for decency *nd comfort.