ARREARS OF RENT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 638, 16 December 1932, Page 5

ARREARS OF RENT.

Householder on Relief Work. PROBLEM FOR MAGISTRATE. (Special to the ** Star.”) PALMERSTON NORTH, Dec. 16. The position of relief workers who are in arrears with their rent was discussed by the Bench and counsel in the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court, when Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., was confronted with an application for an order for possession of a house. It was revealed that defendant,a relief worker, was twelve months behind in his rent and was owing an amount of £46. The Magistrate said that the case was undoubtedly a hard one, but if a man was twelve months behind the landlord was entitled to an order for possession. “If I say no relief worker is to be turned out, no matter whether he is one or two years behind, what will be the position?” asked the Magistrate. Counsel for defendant stated that if relief wages were to become a standard in the community, rent would have to come down to that level. The Magistrate: That is a matter forlandlords or the Legislature. I recognise the hardship in this case. Counsel explained that defendant paid something each month. The Magistrate: One recognises there are honest people among the unemployed, but there are also a number of dishonest people. Counsel for plaintiff, the owner of the house, said he was quite satisfied that the defendant had done his best. The Magistrate: But he cannot have paid enough to meet the owner’s outgoings. lie said that the owner was entitled to an order, but he would make it as easy as he could for defendant. Possession would have to be given within one month. Judgment for £2O only of the arrears was asked for and granted.