SLUMS AND ROOKERIES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2836, 29 July 1916, Page 3

SLUMS AND ROOKERIES

Sir,—l notice that tho Harbour Hoard is considering tho question. of erecting dwellings for its workers, und through your columns I wish to bring before tlio members of the board a schenio which never appears to have been considered by tlio City Corporation or the board, 0110 which, would probably enable the building scheme to be carried out without going miles into tho country. My proposal is this: That four streets, one chain wide, be taken right through Te Aro from Victoria Street and Jervois Quay (I am not quite sure of the names of\theso streets), parallel to and between Willis, Cuba, Taranaki, and Tory Streets and Cambridge Terrace. A great opportunity was lost by the City Corporation when it allowed the Te Aro I'ost Office to bo stuck in its present unsightly position right across what should have been a continuation of Marion Street. Sir Joseph Ward is rightly credited villi up-to-date ideas about the t'ostal Department, but lie must liave been caught napping wlieu he allowed vested interests in Cuba Street to prompt 6uch a blunder. However, it is iiot too late to sweep away the slums and rookeries which are bound to grow up— if they are not already there —in tlie areas which would be opened up by the proposed streets.—l am, etc., J. MARTIN. Martinborougii, July 27.