AN UNROOFED HOUSE.

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 December 1901, Page 2

AN UNROOFED HOUSE.

DISCUSSION AT BOROUGH COUXCIT, TABLE. At last night's jmecting of the Borousjh Council .> lettejf Vjas received from >liJohn Gordon, in which he stated thattlic Council's employees had unroofed one -.«.f the cottages in London Street which _he held under i lease from the Council. The employees had informed Mr Gordon that the Town Clerk had informed them that his lease had run x>ut and had been cancelled. If tne Council would look at tho lease it would be found that the lease ha<l five years to run from December 1901. He had. not been given notice of the termination of the lease. Mr Gordon admitted that his rent was in-arrears some twelve months' ago, but stated that au arrangement had been made between Mr Purnall nnd himself whereby the rent paid by one \>i the tenants was to be devoted to paying the arrears off. This' arrangement was made in September 1900, and as far as MiGordon was! aware had been paid. The 'otal payments amounting to £14, which more than covered: the arrears. Mr Gov-, don asked the Council (if it was their intention to unroof all the cottages) to make him some compensation as the rents were practically his only means of likelihood. t The Tfown Clerk, in explanation, saul about fifteen months ago Gordon was behind with his remt and he (Mr Purnell had asked the Council for instructions, with the result that the matter was left in his hand* to deal with. Mr Purnell had several interviews with Mr Gordon, who said that .ill his affairs were in MiCony's hands. Mr Purnell interviewed Mr. Corry, and informed him that if hs could give a guarantee that the arrears would be paid up he (Mr. Purnell) would ■go no further, but if a guarantee were riot «ivcn the lease would be cancelled. The Town Clerk waited for about three weeks, but no reply was given. At the present time Goi'doii owed two years' rent. Mr. Purnell said he> had no desire to be hard on Mr. Gordon, but something had to bo done. Mr. Gordon was still living in on:----of the cottagesi Cr. Perretfc moved that the Council cannot entertain Mr. Gordon's application. Cr. Richardson expressed 'the opinion that it was a pity an official notice of the termination of the lease had not been sent to Mr. Gordon. Of course the Council could not be a charitable Aid Boiard, but if the lease was cancelled it would mean turning the people out into the street. Mr. Purnell said that Cr. Richardson had entirely misunderstood his remarks. He had done everything possible for tbe people, and had informed Gordon's solicitor of his intentions.

Or. Richardson interjected that there had been too much of verbal understandings. He did not think it right that a Town Clerk should simply talk to people and not give official warning. Cr. Bell seconded the motion. He thought the Council should support the Corportion officer in the matter. He was quite satisfied that Mr. Purnell had given Gordon every opportunity to pay, and had made the best arrangements "ossible. My. Gordon must have known whit bis position was, and must have expected the Council's action. ' ' '

Cr. Manson said that though he was not. prepared to move an amendment, he thought the motion was rather harsh, as Mr. Gordon was perfectly helpless. In the past the Council had assisted people in similar circumstances, Mr. Puraell explained that at the time the action was taken' Mr. Gordon was in as good health as any councillor. Cr. Horslcy moved as an amendment thai, the Town Clerk's action be upheld, and Mr. Gordon be given six months' occupation of the house now occupied by him. This. Or. Horsley held, would, give Mr. Gordon an .gpnortunijty to procure another house. • ' Cr. Itichnrdson seconded the. resolution. ■Cr. Penett then withdrew his resolution. Cr. Williams then moved, and Cr. May seconded, "That the matter be referred to the Reserves Committee." On being put the amendment was lost. _ Cr. Williams then moved as a further amendment tbiat Mr. Gordon's letter be referred to the Council's solicitor. This resolution was also lost. Cr. Bignell then moved as an amendment that Gordon be allowed to occupy the house during the pleasure of the Council. 'Ifyps was also lost, and Cr. Horsley's motion, on being J?ut, was carried.