CONDITIONS OF INTOLERABLE FILTH

Chronicle (Levin), 17 October 1946, Page 7

CONDITIONS OF INTOLERABLE FILTH

—Press Assiociation

maori hovels in north

By Telearavh-

AUCKLAND, Oct. Ib. An area where families of Maoris are living iu conditions' oi" intolerable filth, where Maori children corne to school dirty and diseased,- and where European children areyqndangered by coming in contact with these Maori children, was brouglit ' to the' notice of the Auckland Education Board today. . These diselosure were tnade in a report to the board by the chairman of the Hamilton West School Committee, Mr. J. D. Edgecombe, and. concern a nearby area where the Maoris worlc in Cliiirese niarket gardens and tlieir children attend most irregulafly and infrequently- the Rukuhia and-' Melville Schools. The report, in suggesting a remedy, urged the establisliinent of a native school in the district.' and stated that, the inatter had been brought to the notice of the dnterest«nt local ftjitlioiities like the health and .labour officers inHamilton. •' "The Maori pupils.are, in the main, children of parents eniployed at and living at two large gardens contrdlled by Chinese, " the report stated. "The Maoris eke out "a precarious existence from meagre earniugs from piecework in the gardens, supplemented by social seeurity." The report went on to say tliat the general health of the children was bad, almost all being bodily filthy and affected by scabies and impetigo. There were indications of malnutrition and all the children were badly clothed. A visiting teacher who secured supplies of elotiiing for them, later found evidence that these clothes had been pawned. "The presence of these children at school, under the eireumstances, is a serious embarrassment to the teaching staff and they are a positive menaee to European children," the report continued. "No facilities apart from hand basins exist at Melville School, to keep these Maori children clean or to do anything of consequence to control their very contagious skin troubles. " An inspection of Houchen's road dwellings had revealed revolting conditions which, the report emphasised, sliould not be tolerated or allowed to remain. "Over 40 persons, including 30 children, exist in some three pr four dilapidated sheds with earthern floors. These are devoid ofi drainage, adequAte eanitary facilities and reasonable wash, ing and bathing arrangements. A single tap on a standqpipe in the middle of tliis group of shaekS, serves as a communitv water supply. Considerable discussion followed this report. "We have heard a lot about wliat the Government has done for the Maori," said Mrs. F. I. MeBride, ""but this is serious aud soniething will have to be done. " The Chinese were, rannihg tlie gardens with ^laori worlters under bad conditions, said Mr. J. M. McWhannell, and he saw no reason why this should be ^llott'ed: to continue while European farmer's were compelled to provide pi'io'p0ii: accomnxodatiou for their workerk . • * _ .. iphj ,the •fiiotiou of the chairman, Mr. G. K. Hamilton', the board agreed to seud :the .matter to the Dep.arthients of Health,1 Hpfisiiig j. aiid Education and bh'eh eall a conference^ to dis'cuss the inktter fully. The board adopted a resolutiofi: tliat in European schools where a majority were Maoris, the Education Departmenl should supply those • facilities for cleanliness which are giveu to native schools. Tfibutes were paid by merabers to the courageous way the, teachers were handling the diffieulty.