HOUSING PROBLEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17634, 26 May 1919, Page 7

HOUSING PROBLEM

SCARCITY OP TENEMENTS IN ' - > WELLINGTON. ' ■' .

The scarcity of houses in Wellington and ' '' suburbs is (says the New Zealand Times) continually being brought under notice. - Each civil day at the Magistrate's Court • Mn nom C f ses aro set dOTm far Wrm g , . a. he difficulty of procuring houses is so acute that many persons have to be con- • ' tent with sharing small habitations - with ■ • lAv ° " Jro ° °^ c 'r families. Persons -who are able to pat down a small deposit purchase houses for themselves, and in consequence those occupying the promises are <■ given notice to, quit. The difficulties of the ' man in possession are thereby made mpm. : - iest, as he is probably unable to raise the sum' required as a deposit for the purchase of a property for his own and his family's'" requirements. As an outcome, the payer, being unable to obtain an other io use. refuses to cuit the. premises he is in imril ■.<. compelled to do so by the court. Every shelter that can be ipade use ,of as a habitation is in occupation, and the person who is looking for a house, unless he ■' is extremely fortunate, may have to tramp many, miles, and meet with many disap- ■ poinunents before 'he eventually secures a ■ nomo for his family. 'During the influenza epidemic .many in-" > stances of overcrowding were discovered,' ■' and the same conditions obtain—perhaps ia •' a slightly lesser degree—to-day. A land agent stated on Wednesday that he col-'-' lects rent for' a tenement' in Willis streetwhere there is a flagrant case of overcrowd- 1 i' J g. The house in question, whioh contains - sis rooms, is occupied by a man, his wife, and five children, whilo portions of. the >\ dwelling are sub-let .to another man and his wiio, and to a single' man. Three children sleep in the pantry, and, on account ; of the War Regulations, the landlord has. no power to act. The position has been ' 1 reported to the civic 'authorities, Ihe ageot * states; but it has not' had the desired effect. On Wednesday two tenement cases were [ heard before Mr P. V. Rrazer, S.M., in which owners of premises desired to get ! possession in order to occupy the places •' ' themselves.

In on© instances a woman with a family had purchased a small dwelling with a shop ' ; - attached in order that she might provide a . home for her family and utilise the shop'as ' a means of obtaining a livelihood. The tenant, who occupies the premises, has been - in possession for/some years, and is a widower with a family. His notice to qait expired some time since, but being unable to get another house ho refused to - budge., ' The owner stated she would be content with the shop (which is not used) and an unoocupicd room until such, time as the maa» i secured another house, but the tenant was--' not agreeable to the Finding that ■ G her small capital was dwindling away, the owner had no redress but to sue ,lor pos-.' :. ; ■ session, and she pleaded to the magistrate •! .. to let her have her property at once. The magistrate said he did not like hearing tenement cases. He was well aware of the difficulty in obtaining houses, and lie was sorry for both parties. The'tenant lad: . ■ been given full notice to quit, but the court, in the circumstances, must give him a reasonable tune to get out. He would b9 ' '.1 allowed three weeks. ' The second case was that of a. fisherman, who resides at Island Bay. He is the father - of nine children, the eldest' of whom is 16 :;i years of age and the youngest three weeks. The house in which he lives has been sold ' over his head, and even if he was able to ::i manage _it the securing.' of premises at any * great distance from his calling might pre- * vent him from earning his living. ■> Mr P. J. (yßegan, who appeared for tie •» - defendant, said -his client paid his rent, and his position was a hard one. The housing ■> problem in Wellington was serious, and, ,al- - though the country was governed by the ■ best brains of bom parties, the difficulty had not been met. _ There was nothing detrimental to be said against tho owner, of the property desiring possession for his own . occupation, but the position of the defendant was unfortunate. Counsel asked the court to adjourn tho case to see if some-. :," • thincr could not bo done. Six T. W. Hislop, who appeared for the , petitioner, said that tho property had been purchased as an'investment, .and was after-' ' - wards soW. The plaintiff bought it as a ' home, and was anxious to occupy; the pre- - mises. fid appreciated the : position,, however, and would agree to an adjournment' to se6 vrhat arrangement could 'be made between the parties. -