Slum Mentality

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 89, 9 January 1935, Page 11

Slum Mentality

Sir,—-You deserve the thanks of the community for your recent articles and correspondence on slum conditions in the . city. It is not only in congested areas that slum conditions prevail, for elum mentality will make elum conditions in any surroundings. A walk through any suburb will bring one to areas where the air reeks with malodorous fumes from domestic incinerators, which pour their disgusting odours into adjoining houses all day and every day. As soon as Mrs. A. disposes of Saturday night’s crayfish shells, Mrs. B. stokes up with woollen rags and old boots; and so it goes on. In such households a garbage tin is considered an extravagance, so ashes are thrown into the backyard and tins, etc., are deposited on the nearest vacant section or reserve. Of course the flues of these incinerators Soon become foul and are cleaned by patent chemicals which leave a deposit on nearby iron roofs. Then there are the only too familiar rat infested backyard fowl-runs. No wonder, moneyed people do. not care to settle in Wellington. Until people become more generally hygienieally minded there should be a restricted area where malodorous practices are taboo; a model suburb! —l am, etc., A RATEPAYER. Wellington, January 8.