TWO SIDES TO THE QUESTION

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 258, 9 October 1931, Page 3

TWO SIDES TO THE QUESTION

TENANTS WHO CANNOT PAY : RENT

“It’s very difficult to know what to do in these cases; I don’t want to make an order that will have the effect of turning an iiriempldyed man and his family out into the street, said Mr. P. p, Harper, S.IVL, in the Magistrate’s Court at Gisborne, in dealing with an application for an order for possession of a dwelling. The case was one in which the tenant, out of £24 earned oh relief works iff six months, his only incoirie, had paid £l6 in rent. It was pointed out, however, that the landlord was in equally, if not more distressed circumstances, being a cripple, dependent upon the rent from the house for his livelihood. Remarking that it was necessary in ■ such cases to consider the relative hardships of both parties, the magistrate adjourned the application for a fortnight to enable the defendant to endeavour td find another house. The magistrate pointed out that if the defendant could find another home, the plaintiff might be able to let his house to a tenant who could pay the renp In another case of a similar nature, counsel pointed out that the relief works provided the men with just sufficient to feed them, and no notice was taken of rent or of the interest that some of the men had to pay; some of them were also losing their life insurance. Counsel quite recognised the hardship imposed on the landlords, but pointed out that none of the men came to the court for relief unless it was absolutely necessary. The case mentioned had already been adjourned, and the magistrate granted a final adjournment for a fortnight to enable the defendant to seek another house.