FLATS UNSUITED FOR OCCUPATION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 31 March 1931, Page 11

FLATS UNSUITED FOR OCCUPATION.

city council seeks legislative power. The Government is to .be asked to give borough councils power to make a by-law compelling the owner of a property which it is proposed to convert into flats to obtain a certificate of suitability. This step was taken at last evening’s meeting of the City Council. Councillor E. R. M’Combs moved: — “That the attention of the Government be drawn to the necessity of amending the Municipal Corporations Act to give borough councils power to make a by-law making it compulsory for the owner of a building which it is proposed to let as separate tenements for residential purposes to obtain a certificate from the local authority as to its suitability for the purpose prior to the building being occupied.” A note appended to the motion statel: “Attention has been drawn to the practice of altering buildings and letting them as flats which in many cases become overcrowded.” Insanitary Conditions. The secretary of the Canterbury Builders’ Association wrote as follows regarding the matter: — “At the last meeting of the Canter- . bury Builders’ Association, considerable discussion occurred on the insanitary living conditions that members of our association know are existing in Christchurch, especially among dwellers in residential flats. We have ample evidence that in the city there are many instances of out-buildings such as summer houses, stables and sheds of all descriptions being used for human habitations. A house of six rooms in the of the city is, with the use of bay windows and balcony, occupied by twenty persons, who cook and sleep in various corners. This house has very little sanitary conveniences. In other places gas cookers are installed under stair cases and in places sink, bed and cooker are in the same room. “There are various other instances coming under notice almost every day, and though we know it is a problem protecting people from themselves as far as their living conditions are concerned, our members are anxious to cooperate with 3’our council in every possible way. “Recently the Sydney City passed a by-law prohibiting the use of balconies and verandahs for cooking accommodation for residential flats. It was also insisted that buildings used for flats or appartments should be registered and open for inspection. “At the conclusion of the discussion the following resolution was earned:— ‘That the Canterbury Builders’ Association urge upon the City Council the necessity for adopting a by-law making compulsory complete registration and inspection of all buildings used for residential flats or apartments.’ ** Homes Overcrowded. Councillor M’Combs, in moving the motion, said that she had seen a slum alley, within two minutes of the centre of the city, that was as near an approach to the sort of thing one read of in English cities as one could imagine. She described a place in the backyard of several houses, with the places occupied on several sides of it. People were living there in seven or eight sheds and an old converted stable, which was insanitar\ T . There was no fire escape and there was an inadequate stair to the loft, which was occupied. She had been in a converted washhouse in which people were living. It was divided into tw r o, one of the rooms being Bft by 6ft and the other Bft by 4ft Gin. In the inside room, which opened into the outside room, w’ere a gas stove, sink and bed. The rent for the room was 15s a w’eek. She had been told that thirty people had been living in one of .the houses. Councillor L. B. Neale said that if the city wanted to prevent slums it must pass the resolution. Councillor A. I. Fraer also supported the resolution. The resolution was opposed by Councillor A. E. Armstrong, who proceeded to address the council on unemployment. The motion was carried.,