AMAZING SQUALOR

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1930, Page 4

AMAZING SQUALOR

TWO ELDERLY WOMEN. A TUMBLE-DOWN DWELLING. WANGANIH, October 21. Living in -squalor almost indescribable was the condition of two elderly women in the city in whom SeniorSergeant M’Lean interested himself yesterday afternoon as the result of a complaint that neither of the women had been seen about lately by the neighbours, and as it was feared that either sickness or death had overtaken them.

AY hen the senior-sergeant visited the premises—a two-roomed hut, <,if which the lean-to portion at the rear had caved in owing to decaying timber—he had some difficulty in gaining admission. There a scene which he had never anticipated met his eyes. With the exception of a table, a chair and a few boxes, there was no furniture, and practically nothing of any value'. Thousands of newspapers and other pieces of rubbish were littered around Wire netting and rubbish had been piled ngaint the caved-in portion to keep the rain from beating in. There were no beds, and the bedding was composed of worn sacking. The women were dressed in rags, and for a blouse one used a sack in which holes had been cut'for the head and arms. . There was a heap of rotten apples, and these, combined with other filth, gave a nauseating smell, The women protested vigorously at being interfered with, but they were taken to Court and remanded for a week for treatment. A problem now confronts the authorities to know what to do with them when the week expires. Steps are to be taken to have the house destroyed.