LONG TENANCY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1933, Page 4

LONG TENANCY

OWNER UNAWARE FOR 10 YEARS

AMAZING STORY DISCLOSED

Av-tirnlian Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL, January 17

That the owner of a farm property should remain unaware of the presence in the cottage theron of a tenant for a period of ten years seems almost incredible. Yet such was the amazing) story unfolded to the Southland Electric Power Board at its meeting to-day.

The owner concerned is a wellknown Southland farmer, whose first advice of the fact that there was a tenant on his property, and that the installation of. electricity had been carried out, was when ho recently received" notice of steps taken by the board to re over the balance due on the installation.

During the last ten years, the owner, who was not in the habit of visiting the property, had no knowledge of the occupant; had never collected any rent, and all the time had paid the rates. He had no idea that electricity had been installed until he received the recent notification from the Power Beard.

The members of the hoard were plainly a nr" ad at the man’s sirry, and when, a ter the ov,*n*r bad retired, the chairman (Mr W. Hinchey) used for an expression of opinion, Mr A. H. Hoyles aptly replied: ‘Send the whole thing to “Punch!”