PRINCE AS A LANDLORD

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1928, Page 11

PRINCE AS A LANDLORD

ROYAL ESTATE IN LONDON. London, Aug. 10. At a meeting of the London County Council last week the Prince of Wales said he thought that the Duchy of Cornwall had made quite a substantial contribution to the housing problem of the day —anfl it appears that the 2000 or more people who occupy the flats and houses built on the Kennington estates since the war heartily agree with him. An interviewer has gathered . some opinions on the subject. Mrs. Lock, of 30, Cardigan Street, S.E., said: “The Prince is in every way an excellent landlord and takes a great personal interest in all his tenants. He is frequently visiting the district to see conditions first-hand. If there is anything we want done we have only to mention it and it is carried out with promptitude and efficiency.” Mr. F. Chudley, of Kennington Palace Mansions, Sancroft Street, said that the Prince was a model landlord. In these mansions there is living an old retainer of Queen Alexandra, and frequently the Prince comes down to visit her. He is greatly interested in the development of this district as a goodclass residential neighbourhood. All the old buildings are being pulled down and first-class modern residences are being built in their stead.” Miss Hussey, of 24, Newburn Street, said: “The Prince is an ideal landlord and he is immensely popular among his tenants. The district is being improved daily. The only criticism we might make is that we should love to see tho Prince even more often.”

Dr. Serrell-Cooke, who lives in Rothesay Mansions, Kennington Oval, and has a wide knowledge of conditions in the district, said: “The Prince never hesitates to get everything possible done for his tenants. I know of one instance where a woman wanted something done, and the Prince gave orders that her wishes should be complied with. He came down the next day with the Queen and was shown the plan of what was going to be done. ’That will not do at all,' he said; ‘that is not what I ordered.’ It was pointed out to him that if the full scheme was carried out as he had ordered the difference in price would be several hundred pounds. ’That does not matter,’ answered the Prince; ‘it must be done.’

“The Prinee has taken a great interest in persons in the locality. Among the people he has been to see is Bobby Abel, the cricketer, who was down 0” his luck some time ago,”