EVICTED FROM HOME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25563, 16 June 1944, Page 2

EVICTED FROM HOME

WOMAN WITH FAMILY OF EIGHT FOUR YEARS' WAIT FOR STATE HOUSE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 15. Mrs Mary Harris, of Martin square, Te Aro, Wellington, with her family, was evicted from her home to-day. The court bailiff and three assistants removed the furniture. The family left quietly, but had nowhere to go. A boy of four who is ill was resting when the bailiff’s party arrived, but he had to quit like the others. Mrs Harris has been for four years an applicant for a State house. She has never needed one so badly as she did to-day. It appears there are no State houses big enough for families like those of Mrs Harris. She has eight in all. Three of the older boys are fortunately away on a country Job temporarily, otherwise they would be homeless too. When Mi's Harris's eldest daughter returned from work she was met by the sight of her mother and family standing alongside the furniture in the street. It was decided at 9 p.m. that all six should camp for the night on the verandah. The house is barred up. If the sick boy is no better tomorrow he will be sent to hospital. Mrs Harris has had the shadow of eviction over her head for months.. She was last due to be evicted on May 29, and social workers tried hard to get her a home. They failed. Recently a drain broke, causing an offensive nuisance, and this brought matters to a head.

The plight of Mrs Harris has been no secret. The Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser), Mr C. H. Chapman, M.P., and the late Mr H. T. Armstrong, who was Minister of Housing, all inspected her house. There was no parliamentary representation at to-day’s ejection.