PACKING-CASE HOUSES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19584, 16 March 1938, Page 7

PACKING-CASE HOUSES

TINS FLATTENED OUT

(Por Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Dwelings built of packing cases and flattened out kerosene tins were included in those reported on in the final report on the housing survey in New Brighton received at a meeting of the New Brighton Borough Council. The report made by the housing investigator, Mr. J. D. Hicks, showed that only half of the total number of 1737 houses in the borough could be classed as satisfactory. Eighty-two of them, or about 45 per cent, were classified for demolition. The 1737 houses made up im dwelling units, of which 1640 were private dwellings. Approximately half the dwellings were found to be satisfactory. „ , The report stated that the peicentage of sub-standard dwellings was unsatisfactory, but many were repairable and the sub-standard total was not as high as could be expected considering that hundreds of those dwellings were originally intended only for week-end and summer use and not, as they were found to-day, for permanent dwellings. “In the many cases where there is an almost entire lack ol' conveniences, the occupants cannot have a rosy time, being without water on the premises and lacking sinks, baths, lavatory basins, washtubs and drainage,” Mr. Hicks states. “Usually-the only conveniences are electric light and an open fireplace, or a tiny stove for heating and cooking.” The endosement of the idea that it would be a good thing if a certificate o f fitness were made compulsoiy whenever houses were being let was expressed by Mr. Hicks. Possibly, he said, that was the only sure method of ensuring that every famiiy wluch was compelled by force of circumstances to live in a rented house would have the conveniences and conditions necessary for decency and comfort.