Slums of the Queen City Strongly Indicted by Citizen

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 67, 10 June 1927, Page 1

Slums of the Queen City Strongly Indicted by Citizen

FAMILY’S BITTER EXPERIENCE

ii AXE half of Auckland does not know how or . where U the other halt' lives,” according to the father of a family of four who has had bitter first-hand experience of some of Auckland’s slums.

“tpHE SUN’S publication of the -*- article, ‘Hovels as Homes,’ on Tuesday, was opportune,” lie says.

“It is certainly time something was done to remedy the evil.” And then, in his own words, comes the story of his recent experiences: “I have seen something of the slums of London, Liverpool and Manchester, etc., and I can honestly say that the slums of this ‘Queen City’ are equally as bad as, if not worse, than in some instances. “If the so-called houses in these areas were turned back to front there would be some outcry from the public. If it is impossible; to improve this state of affairs, then why is something not done to prevent the parsimonious owners of these shacks from charging the people who can least afford it such exhorbitant rents? THE “IDEAL” HOUSE “On May 28 my wife, after searching all day for a suitable house at a reasonable rent, at last thought she had got the very thing. She viewed it in the dusk. It was newly-painted and papered, and a wash-house which was being erected was to have been completed on the day of our entry, Monday, May 30. “On that day we duly arrived with our goods and chattels and my first impression (from the outside) was a very favourable one. “On entering, however, I expressed my disapproval in such strong terms that the owner —or his representative —who happened to be present, threatened to give me in charge. It is a pity he did not, as his property would have got publictiv before this. “My wife received a receipt from the agent for two weeks’, rent in advance — £3 os—for ‘a house of four rooms and conveniences.’ On the receipt it stated that ‘The back door open.’ Well, it was open, and for the simple reason that there was no way of securing it, except with a hammer and nails. “The agent also forgot to state that most of the other doors in the house were open and could not he closed on account of a hump in the centre of the house, which caused most of the doors to be out of all alignment with the frames. “However, to equalise this matter somewhat, all the windows were closed and could not he opened unless propped up from the bottom. “YPRES IN MINIATURE” "One of the front bedrooms was tastefully decorated with new paper of a blue and black pattern, but the pattern was of the temporary variety, and every time my children leaned against the wall it detached itself—on to their clothing.

“Paper and paint certainly hide a multitude of sins in these ‘doneup shacks.’ “The view from the scullery window was Ypres in miniature. Dividing fences were non-existent, and the wash-house which was to be completed on the day of our entry was represented by a few pieces of scantling nailed to the side of the house. “What a splendid environment in which to bring up young New Zealanders —of whom I possess four! “There was certainly no necessity to carry your Service box respirator at the ‘alert’ in this billet, as the gas stove had evidently been on the go-slow policy “The next day, while walking through one of the rooms, the heel of my shoe went into one of the floor boards. A heavy casualty list among the borer resulted, I hope. “I visited the agent on June 2 and interviewed him for the purpose of getting a refund of a week’s rent, but there was ‘nothin’ doin’. On Thursday I visited the Town Hall and requested the attendance of a sanitary inspector. He was shortly on the scene and after making a brief survey he left. I am unaware of what conclusions he drew, but I know this, that the next day—the King’s Birthday—a carrier arrived and removed some of the material which had been intended for the improvements. AFTER FIVE DAYS’ TENANCY “Just before my departure from this ‘ideal residence,’ the lady who occupied the house next door walked through the fence that wasn’t there and asked me would I kindly turn off the water from the cistern, as the ‘irrigation of her premises was com plete.’ “1 immediately complied with her request. She also informed me that some time before my arrival a few bricks had detached themselves from our chimney and landed on her roof! A view from the direction of ‘miniature Ypres’ confirmed her statement, and judging by the appearance of the offending structure it will shortly suffer a further shrinkage. “On Saturday, June 4. I vacated the house: the previous tenants were morp fortunate, as they only remained three days. “So the owner of this particular house can congratulate himself on receiving from me £3 5s for five days’ tenancy for a shack that would not bring £25 from the housebreakers. “I am quite willing to substantiate my allegations, and I hope that other duped tenants will give their experiences and so let the public of Auckland know how really serious is the slum question.”