OVERCROWDING.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20183, 11 March 1931, Page 9

OVERCROWDING.

r,: *, j ■» v v* fl ! HOUSING CONDITIONS, BUILDERS FAVOUR MORE INSPECTION. "Greater powers should be given to tye civic authorities to deal with insanitary living coalitions in Christehureh than tl;e present by-laws allow," said Mr G. Sinjpson at the meeting of the Canterbury Master Builders' Association last evening, 1 The Sydney tiity Council had passed a by-law prohibiting the use of balconies and verandahs for cooking accommodation tax residential flats. It was also insisting that all buildings used for flats or apartments should be registered and open" for inspection, "This Association," . continued Mr Simpson, ."has always endeavoured to get representation on any public (join? miftee, to act in an advisory capacity for the general welfare, X consider it is our* duty to urge the •Christehureh -City Council to adopt by-laws such as those recently passed in Sydney. "In the new by-laws the regulations ! regarding air space, sanitation, den'sito: of population, and Are are rigid, but it is impossible to trace the interior alterations that are being carried , out in, Christehureh, >in many earn* without notice being given to the civic authorities. All over the town persons | are altering buildings without regard to 'proper sanitary arrangements, bathing facilities, or fire escapes. "In many cases the owner purchases 80eond-hand materials, using cheap labour iOf the carpet-bag typ<f, whiijh takes all hinds of daring risks without, notifying I the authorities. This is surely a .men-, I ace tp the Health' of the community and 1 a grave danger in times of fire or earthquake. / "In this City there are many in, Btarfceg of outbuildings, *uch as summer Rouses, stables, and Bheds of all desefip* tion, being used or human habitation. A house of six Tooms in the centra -of the City is, with the us® of bay, windows and balcony, occupied by 20 pe?» sons, who cook and sleep various, corners. This house has very little tary convenience. , , ' / " r v . "Another house in one. of the best parts of the City has\bee» converted into twelve flats.' A she& fct tb<( also let for a bach. » , *, "" * ' Example JTear tha Sqti&re. , • t( ln another house closoto Cathedral square there are seven cufbiejes usedas kitchenettes! : The partitions. beaver*baarfl, ajrd''. each with a sink andcooTcer, ; are 'ljuilt a 1? pt 8 roqm,- ; with § 'raiut Oft ftis propwteth'ereis only pne bath.; - 1 Th« place, wtfidd aeM>mnWft date sa freoi»leu ! • • \ "There are, many other wteniiea atf over the town where baches are installed 'nna'eA v : > s S^2l tip local bodWB anftMbHaMmif to'notify the Council' callei