HOUSE FAMINE IN WELLINGTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17690, 30 July 1919, Page 5

HOUSE FAMINE IN WELLINGTON.

- | CITY COUNCIL'S SCHEME. (Pes United Press Association.) ti -hi- WELLINGTON, July 29. TJio Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke), speaking ot ulie OLy Council's house scheme, said tho council had sufficient land, ior a lot ot houses. The scheme would go on all right but it would be necessary to go slow at , S connnenoe with tho £10,000 scheme at Maraiiui. There was plenty of land, however, and most of it was already in touch with tho water and drainage systems, "which, was a big .help. CRYING NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT. SOME .-DEPLORABLE INSTANCES. In presenting the report of the Charitable Aid Committee to a meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board last week the chairman (Mr G. J. Petherick) said) there was a crying n-ecd for an improvement in tho conditions under which soma parsons in that city were compelled to live. This, he said, would be made apparent by the committee's report,, which was as follows:—"That the insufficiency of chousing accommodation is ? 3,n 0 continually forced upon its attention m tho course of its work, and it subjoins two by way of illustration—(l) Kent, 21s per week. Dwelling—two-roomed wharo;' lmn ? room about 12tt x 10ft. Domestio appliances—gas stove and sink in the room. No washhouse nor washing appliances, bath, or scullery. Sleeping room abouo 10ft x 10ft, with upper and lower bunks and 2ft 6in stretcher. Occupants— rather, confined to bed by serious illness, ; mother, and four children, two boys and two girls, ages ranging from 14 years to two years. A. fifth child is sent out to sleep It is not surprising that the mother is sufrenng from debility and inertia. i2) Rent not stated. Dwelling—one room ii cl- Mft square. Occupants—father, mouher, and five children, ranging in ages from 12 years to two v-sors. After a brief discussion, during which several other instances of a like naturo were disclosed,' it was decided to bring tho matter under tho notice of the City Coun cn and the Government.