HOUSING EVILS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14765, 3 October 1921, Page 3

HOUSING EVILS

APPALLING CONDITIONS. "This is an appalling report, and if it was brought to the notice -of the Ministry of Health, there should be no trouble in getting sanction to build more houses for the people." These remarks were made by Mr T. Jackson with reference to a report furnished to Tredegar (Englaill) County Council by the sanitary inspector on the tcnl. and Van dwellers in the district. The report was that in and around a marine store yard there was a van occupied by a man and his wife, another occupied by a man, his wife and child, a third, similiarly occupied, a small wooden structure occupied by a man and his wife, a dilapidated wooden structure occupied by two men, and an old van occupied by one old woman, a temporary shed occupied by a woman and her two sons, and another make-shift building occupied by a man, his wife and six children, and another gipsy's tent, a man, his wife and four children. Commenting on this slate of affairs, the inspector remarked, "This is a formidable list and suggests the formation of a colony of people for the purpose of leading the "simple life," but that is not the right view to take of It." He pointed, out Hint, most of these people were there because they had no other place to go. one of Die eases was particularly pitiful. The man with a wife and six children formerly lived in apartments, and they had to leave. They then sold their furniture and bought a dilapidated van, in whicli they at present existed. In none of the places were, there any sanitary conveniences. This did not exhaust the list of van dwellers in the district, and other cases would be reported upon in due course. Dealing further with the housing conditions, the inspector gave the following cases: —A man and wife nnd six children sleeping in one bedroom, man and wife and five children sleeping in one small bedroom, man and wife and six children in one bedroom, one man and six children living and sleeping in an old van, 17 persons sleeping in three bedrooms, of which a man, wife and two daughters, aged 'l2 and 18 respectively and one son aged ii, occupy one bedroom; man, wife and three children living and sleeping in one very small room; IS persons occupying one house, of which a man, wife and three children sleep In the smallest bedroom; a man. wife nnd six children residing in rooms which were overcrowded and damp; n family consisting of man, wife and six children occupying one bedroom: a \ f.imily of eight in one house which | li.nl only one bedroom and no thorough ventilation: a man. wife and six children in niie bedroom: and a man. wife and six children, son-in-law. his wife ! nnd two children, in a smoll four- | roomed house. ' The inspector reported that this list ! could be considerably added In, hut : sul'licicul had been KiVfii In show how (i.'p!u":dde the conditions were. II w.is decided lhal Hie report should |.e forwarded to .Mr Kv:.ll Hiivios. the member for Ihe division, with :i view 1,, i|, 1.,.in brou.alil before Ihe Minister of Health.