A DILAPIDATED HOUSE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19617, 22 October 1925, Page 15

A DILAPIDATED HOUSE.

BOARDING-HOUSE REVELATIONS. OWNER NEGLECTS PROPERTY. A bath with a false bottom which has gradually corroded through and which has a few jagged edges sticking up offers few temptations to the cleanly soul to perform his daily ablutions. His reluctance to leave behind any shreds of skin is natural and perfectly explainable. A bath answering to this description, only more so, was but one of the disadvantages of a boarding-house which was discussed in the City Police Court yesterday morning. The establishment was situated at 24 Eden street, but the conditions there could not claim to be associated in any way with the prevailing conception of the original Eden—far from it. Rosetta Downes was held by Inspector King to be responsible for the state affairs existing in this house, and, as the owner of the building, she was charged with failing to make certain alterations as instructed. Mr A. N. Haggitt appeared for the plaintic, and the defendant was represented by Mr J. N. Calder. The Inspector asserted that the place was absolutely unsuitable as a boardinghouse, and certain alterations would have to be made. The bath had a false bottom, and this had rusted through so that the jagged edges were turned up. Mr Haggitt: So it would be unpleasant for anyone to use it? Witness seemed to think it would. He added that there were five bedrooms containing 13 beds in the house. To Mr Calder: Witness would have made those requisitions just the same had the place not been used as a boarding-house. The dilapidated condition of the premises was attributed by Dr Moody to the tenant, and not to the owner. “I don’t think, this tenant would keep a house clean anywere,” he said. “It is all a matter of the personal cleanliness of the tenant, and not of the owner. The premises are in a sanitary condition.” Questioned about the bath, Dr Moody said that he did not think the occupants used the bath. There were clothes lying in the bathroom, behind the bath, and everywhere. Witness did not think that the bath was entirely hopeless. He would use it himself, if he had no alternative, but would give it a good clean out first. Mr Haggitt: Do you know that there is tin sticking out of the bottom? Witness knew, but added that he would not sit on the jagged bits. Evidence was given by Amelia Dale, the tenant, who said that she had been about eight years in the house, and ■ the landlord had done nothing except put in a new stove. No one had used the bath for six or eight weeks because it could not be used. Witness added that she had pasted brown paper over the walls of a number of. the rooms. Thomas Henry Downes, an old man, aged 85, gave evidence. He said that he was the husband of the defendant, and had vested his property in her many years ago. The Magistrate (Mr J. R. Bartholomew) rejected a proposal to visit the place, saying that it was not necessary. It was perfectly clear that the building was not in as sanitary and proper state as was required. “The bedrooms,” his Worship continued, “are in a bad condition, and the tenant’s attempt to use brown paper for the walls tells its own tale. The best course will bo to let the owner have an opportunity to get the work done, and for this purpose the case will be adjourned for three weeks. Amelia Dale, the tenant, was charged with keeping a boarding-house without a license. “The facts in this case,” said his Worship, “show how necessary it is that a common, boarding-house should bo licensed and inspected.”—The defendant was fined 2Cs and costs (7s).