FAMILY SEIZES POSSESSION OF STATE HOUSE

Chronicle (Levin), 11 September 1946, Page 7

FAMILY SEIZES POSSESSION OF STATE HOUSE

-Press Association

By Telegravh-

WELLINGTON, Sept. 1U. While honies are being illegall) sei/.ed on a large scale in Loudon, 1 case of " squatting ' ' has occurred at Naenae, 111 the llutt Valley. A fauiilhas been living in a Stale house tlieix for nearly a week Avitliout authority. The house is a four-bedroom house iu Gibson Cr-escent , tlitv last of a group oi 30 liuiit by Jaines II. IMilne, Ltd. Ii was complete but liad not been handed over to the Governinent. l.ate lasi fuesday night a married couple Avith two children of school age took posses sion of the house and tliey have been living 111 it ever since, though withoul power for lighting and cooking. The iiouse is a larger one than would be al lotted to a small family, particularly when the children are of ihe one sex. as in this case. All concerned are ajiparently hesitattng to take the serious step of haviug the occupants of the house ejected. In - any case, the legal position is 110: .-imple. The builders have the house readv to hand over to the Goveniment and have received in the form of progress paynients nearly all the money that is duc to lliem, but the Governinent refuses to accept Ihe house formally Avhile it is oecupied. The people avIio are in the house declare that tliey Avere Avitliout accomniodal ion, having been turned out by reliitions Avith Avhom tliey Avere living. Tliey say tlie.v found the door open ou Tuosdav night and Avent in. Since then thcy have brought furniture to Ihe house. The liusband is a bus driver, but until very reeently Avas a gardener. I11 the last two years about 10 State hou.ses in the llutt Valley have been oecupied Avitliout authority. I11 all "ases the illegal occupants luu-o nioved out, or been moved out, usually into -omc other house found for theni by thc Government.