"A VILE SPOT"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2750, 19 April 1916, Page 7

"A VILE SPOT"

PREMISES IN FREDERICK STREET. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION. "That tho Public Health Department be requested to inspect premises in Frederick Street, witli a view to condemnation, as ill tlio opinion of a medical practitioner and the City Engineer, the dwelling is unfit lor human habitation."—This was the opening recommendation in tlio report submitted to tlio City' Council by the Public Health Coimnittco last night. The place was described by-the chairman of tho committee (Councillor Jas. Goclber) as a vilo spot, ad ho hinte'fl that other places in the vicinity were under tho observation of tho committee. Councillor W. H. Bennett hoped that the timo was not far distant when tho council would resumo the wholo of these slum areas, with a viow to their improvement. Councillor John Fuller considered that tho council should put forward 601110 scheme to deal with the problem. In America there was the power to proclaim such areas, and if the proclamation schome were brought into operation here, such places could be wiped out in ten years. Councillor A. Veiteh thought thar, tho problem was one that could not bo dealt with in live minutes. It was a deep problem, for they had to consider what would happen if they shifted the inhabitants of this quarter to a more respectable locality. . Ho was one of those'who visited tho quarter, and'he had to confess that the European places were far worse than those inhabited by tho Chinese.' Councillor L. M'Kcnzio objected to the continual use of the torm slum in reference to certain Wellington areas. The fact could- not bo overlooked 'that 'all tho places referred to had-water and drainage, but certain occupiers would nover live as the bulk of the (citizens desired they should | Councillor R. A. Wright, M.P., agreed with the opinions expressed by Councillor Voitch. A gentleman, who had worked for years in tho slums of London, had informed him that there were, no slums in .this city, and had described tho dwellings, pointed out in the alleged shun areas, as middle-class houses. Councillor J. Hutcheson condemned the owiiors of these properties, many of whom held their heads up in society in spite of the fact that thoy were col r leoting exorbitant rents from premises occupied by Chinese gamblers and unfortunate women. It would, he suggested, be a profitable business for-the city authorities to build up-to-date flats not only for the housing of tho poorer classes, but for many middle-class people, who were now entering board-ing-houses. - After further discussion on the subject, the recommendation of the committee was adopted, Councillor Godber assuring the council that the committee intended to tackle the problem with the gloves off.