GLOOMY QUARTERS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 447, 1 June 1937, Page 2

GLOOMY QUARTERS

SINGLE POLICEMEN Conditions At Auckland Barracks Press Association —Copyright. Auckland. June 1. 'Uncomfortable, draughty, ill-ventil-ated quarters are the lot of the single constables. 1 who live at the Auckland police barracks, which are located on the upper floors of the gaunt, oldfashioned building which constitutes police headquarters in the city. The fresh appearance of the ground floor office is entirely at variance with the unprepossessing condition of the men’s quarters.

On the floor there is a barnlike room, about 28ft. by 32 ft., into which 11 cubicles are crowded, each one measuring approximately 7tt. by Bft. Into these spaces are arranged with maximum effect, the bed, dressingtable and personal effects of eijch man. The occupant of a cubicle may stand in the centre of his allotted space and with his arms extended level with his shoulders' almost touch the plasterboard' divisions about 7ft. high, privacy is 'also out of the question. In another part of the building where cubicles are located it is doubtful whether natural light filters through. There are only two bathrooms' and one lavatory for 18 men on 'the toP floor, and on the lower floor there is a bathroom with only a cold water fap. In another part of the building there are 'three hot showers. Those men who prefer hot baths to showers must await their turn in the two bathrooms.

Neither of the two 'top floors has any heating equipment in the men’s 1 cubicles and men suffer the utmost discomfort in winter. In summer 'the place is equally unpleasantly warm. Those who are bn night duty may go off their beats <a.t 5 a.m. with wet clothing, and the usual method of drying them im the barracks .appears' to be confined ‘to hanging their uniforms over the balustrade or waiting until the’owners have an opportunity of ironing them dry. On the first floor u, room euphemistically known at one time ias a sitrtmg-room. Excepting a fireplace and two uncomfortable, hard, straight, backed couches with flax seats, there is nothing to diminish the gloomy atmosphere of the place. Given these conditions it is scarcely surprising that colds are frequent. . In the light of these circumstances it is ironic that at present the Auckland City Council is conducting a sur. v-ey of housing conditions in various parts of the city and that officers are examining apartment and other houses to check the possibilities of over crowding and unhealthy living conuitions.