WELLINGTON NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16496, 25 July 1919, Page 2

WELLINGTON NOTES.

THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

BAD CONDITIONS IN AVELLINGTON

b-- TEjuEQRAPH.—OWN COBBBBPONDENX

■WELLINGTON, July 23,

The housing problem was referred to in a report ot the Charitable Aid Committee to the Wellington mospital and Charitable Aid Board to-day. ‘‘The insufficiency of housing accommodation,’ the committee reported, “is being continually forced upon the attention, of the committee in the course ot its work,” and it subjoins two examples ffy way of illustration. (1) A rent of 21s per week was charged for dwelling in a two-roomed whare with a living room about 12ft. by 10ft. with domestic appliances, gas stove and sink in one room. 'Therg was no wash-house ne~ washing appliances, bath nor scullery. The sleeping room, about 10ft. squafft, with upper and lower bunks and. a 2ft. 6in. stretcher, was occupied by a father (confined to bed by serious illness), mother, and four children (two boys and two girls of ages ranging from>l4 years to 2 years). The fifth child is sent out to sleep. • (2) That of £ dwelling, rent not stated, of one roMh under 14ft. square, of which the oSoupants are father, mother, and five children ranging in age from 12 years to 3 years. Commenting on the first example the committee says: *Tt is not surprising that the mother is suffering from debility and inertia and the committee fails to conceive -jow the social outlook can be contemplated with any complaisance while such ponditions as are indicated by the above cases remain in The members oimmented strongly on the deplorable conditions revealed Ijy this report, which it was stated did not deal with very exceptional cases, and it was decided to forward the report to the City Council and the Minister of Internal Affairs. Emphasis was also laid on the extortions of people who sub-let rooms, charging 80s tor one barely furnished room and the use of the living room ia some cases. THEFT FROM ART GALLERY. The small bronze figure of “The Bather” has been removed by some unknown person from the Wellington ArtGallery. The statue, which is the nude figure of a youth, seated, stands about nine or ten inches high, is the work of Mr. Alfred Drury, R.A., and is valued at £25. The loss has been reported to the police. The removal of such a work of art, which it would be difficult to dispose of to advantage, recalls a ease several years ago, when a big canvas. “Southward from Surrey’s Pleasant Hills,” by B. W. Leader, If. A., was twice stolen from the Gallery and recovered mysteriously after the payment by the Mayor of a ransom to avoid the 'destruction of the painting.