HOUSE SHORTAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1919, Page 3

HOUSE SHORTAGE.

1 AN AUCKLAND ILLUSTRATION.

An illustration of the scarcity of houses in Auckland at the present time was shown bv a case that came before Mr. E. C. Cuttcn, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court a few days ago (reports an exchange). The plaintiff sought to recover possession of a tenement. The difficulty was that the occupant of the house had not been able to get another house. Meanwhile the one she occupied was sold to the wife of a returned soldier, who, naturally, wanted possession. Due notice had been given to the tenant to vacate the premises. On behalf of the defendant, Mr. Singer said his client wanted to give up possession, but was unable to get another house. She was a soldier's mother, and had seven children. Mr. Singer then pointed out thit the agreement for sale did not comply with Ithe requirements of the War Regulations as to time. He admitted that the position was an unfortunate one all round. His client had seven children, some of whom were a?ck. On the other hand, ho recognised the difficulty of his friend's client, who had recently returned from the front, and, with his wife, was compelled to sleep in a bathroom, and their five children were distributed amongst their relatives. The question seemed to be: "Who is to sleep in the bathroom?" On behalf of the plaintiff, Mr. Brewer said his client had undertaken to give possession of the tenement he was occupying within a specified time, and could not do so, being, therefore, compelled to take these proceedings. Mr. Singer said his client had no wish to keep a returned soldier out of a house he had bought, but she must have somewhere to go herself. Mr. Cutten said it was clear that an order for possession could not be given by the Court. | The position of the returned soldier who purchased the house is that his wife and himself are occupying a single bed in a bathroom, two daughters are sleeping on the floor in the grandparents' bedroom, and three sons are double-bunking in beds with their uncles.

HOUSE-TO-HOUSE CALLS. House-hunger is causing many land agents and dealers in property irl Auckland to resort to extraordinary measures on behalf of clients seeking homes (says the Herald). It has been the experience of numerous residents of late to be approached at their front doors by polite, but persistent, inquirers as to the price at which they will sell their dwellings. These callers are not always easily disposed of. A Pousonby lady informed one of them the other day that her house was not for sale. The agent at the door offered a tempting price; she refused it, saying it was her home and she must live somewhere. Whereupon the would-be purchaser said he would call upon her husband and make an offer to him. Be was informed that the house was owned by the lady herself, at which he lifted his h;u and disappeared. So frequently have the tenants of soiiiu houses been bothered by these travelling agents that they have adopted the habit of implying that they oivn the property by declaring in dignified and affronted fashion that they do not wish to sell it. Others are seriously contcmplating erecting in their frojit gardens notices proclaiming to the world at large, and agents in particular, that "this house is not for sale." There are numerous instances in which houses have been sold, the tenants of which have declined to move out until it suits thorn. Purchasers of these dwellings, anxious to move in themselves, have taken legal advice, only to find they have no remedy except to raise the rent.