"BAG TOWN."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 76, 9 March 1931, Page 8

"BAG TOWN."

IN SYDNEY DOMAIN. WHERE THE HOMELESS SLEEP. TOLERABLE IN GOOD WEATHER Should the erection of quaint domiciles in the Outer Domain remain unchecked, this part of the city's breathing spaces will soon resemble the "bag-town" camp, which was for so many years a feature of railways construction camps (says the Sydney Morning Herald). Canvas, potato bags sewn together, and discarded tarpaulins have been erected as shelters by those who, through force of circumstances, are unable to pay for lodgings in the city. About a score of these "habitations" provide shelter in calm weather for probably three-score homeless citizens; in wet and cold weather, however, the shelter afforded is at a minimum. A walk through the Oute." Domain in the early morning hours affords one an insight into many of the devices adopted by homeless unemployed to keep themselves warm while they sleep. Scores may be seen lying on the bare ground, their bodies wrapped in nondescript garments, ranging from woollen materials to old newspapers. Some sleep with .head and face exposed; others curl themselves iato huddled bundles from which neither head nor feet can be seen. The position of these men in mild weather is quite pleasant, but with the return of cold and wet weather less exposed positions must be found. Some men wash themselves thoroughly at the drinking fountains; others are very chary in the use of water. One man was observed to perform his morning ablutions by simply wetting his .hands and passing them over his face, not. even troubling (o remove his hat meanwhile. It was washing day with some of the men —they had everything, Including socks and shiri, hung out. to dry, and consequently Avere not available for interview for the time bein g. The Outer Domain, notwithstanding that so many "doss" there, is kept neat and tidy. The men carefully gather the old newspapers and litter and use them for fuel; dry twigs from the trees are equally welcome. A number of men were seen with sugar bass making towards (lie city, evidently bound for rations. In the wire receptacle provided for garbage were seen empty jam and other tins, scraps of bread, and the like, and a heap of prawn heads denoted that one man was glad to have something other than the fare provided in the rations. Recesses in the trunk of a Morton Bay fig tree were turned to advantage .by one man, who hung his tins or reed neatly therein. But the practice of some dwellers in lighting fires against the trees must in the long run result in the destruction of a number of fine trees.