Poles Cannot Secure House They Bought

Chronicle (Levin), 18 August 1948, Page 7

Poles Cannot Secure House They Bought

* WELLINGTON, August 17. Tlie possession of a house at Glenbervie Terrace was elaimed for 16 Poles iu the Magistrate 's Court today. Mr. W. Ewierezynski, the registered owner of the house, elaimed possession oii behalf of liimseJf and the other 16 Poles, from Mary Kofe. Mr. G., 1. Joseph appeared toi %Mr. Swierezynski and Mr. C. J. O 'Iiegan represented Mrs. llofe. Mr. Joseph said the Poles bought two properties *in Glenbervie Terrace of wliich the property in the statement of. claiui was oue. All the men were discharged servicemen who served in' the Polisli forces dunng the war. The women concerned Vaiue to New Zealand during the wur and had been at the camp at Pahiatua. Their situation was rapidly beconiing desperate. The camp was to close in Noveniber and although there were fevv people left in the camp. 10 of the 16 people wlio bought the two houses, were at the camp. Plaintilf. and his wife lived in oue small room in a lodging house. The two houses had been bought for £1050. One house, wliich had been vacant, had beeu con (lcinned by tlie Citv Council aiul despite its condition, seven or eiglit people were liviug in it*. Mr. () 'iiegan subiuitted that plaintiff had bought the house witli his eyes opeu. Counsel contended that the hardsliip on defendaut would be greater if slie and lier daughter- were evicted. Defendaut, he syrnl, was aged 62 and lnul lived in the house for 14 years. Iler daughter and a friend of her daughter also lived in the house. Mrs. llofe had nowliere 1o go. Mr. Hanna, >S.M., said plaintilf had had aa uiifortuiiate purchase. Plaintitf had nut established that he would have greater liardship than would defendam.ie refused the order for possession.