A WIDOW’S PLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1925, Page 4

A WIDOW’S PLIGHT

:>,os FOR A HOVEL. WELLINGTON. January 30. W'liat acre referred to as the extortionate rents charged ill Wellington, came in for criticism at the meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board yesterday afternoon, and it was said that the board’s social service expenditure v. as the higher liccau.se of these high charges. Tin- case was mentioned of a woman H |n, was living in four rooms, lor

which she was paying ISOs per week. The house, Mr G. J. Petheriek told the board, was at the back of another house, which was at the back of a shop, and there was no fireplace in it. Mr C. H, Chapman remarked that Mr l’etheriek had understated the case. The woman was a widow with four young children, and the house was in reality a store shed which had been divided into four rooms, ihe place possessed neither convenience nor lire, and when the children were cold they were put to bed to get warm. Airs A. A ft-Vi car said that not only was the place without fire, but there was no isaniitnry .conveniences, no washhouse, and no bathroom.

Air AlcCurclv mentioned that the woman had had to let one of the four rooms, as she was in poor circumstances.

Air 1). Campbell said he knew of a man who was paying £‘A a week for a house which was not worth £l.