CARE AND HOUSING OF MAORIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 46, 24 February 1939, Page 6

CARE AND HOUSING OF MAORIS

THE WORK OF THE STATE OPERATIONS IN WANGANUI DISTRICT A question raised at a meeting of the Wanganui Harbour Board this week as to what is to become of Maoris affected by the board’s intention to demolish certain old cottages at Castlecliff, draws attention to the work of the State in caring for the Native race, particularly in the matter of housing.

Under the Native Housing Act, 1935, the Board of Native Affairs has power to make advances out of moneys appropriated by Parliament for the erection, repair and improvement to dwellings, for improvement to and installation of lighting and heating systems, sanitation requirements and water supply. Money can also be advanced for the purchase of land as sites for dwellings. To enable the board to fully exercise its powers and functions in respect to natives who, in its opinion have come under the definition of indigent, and for the purpose of assisting the most necessitous cases, the Government has established a special housing fund, comprising grants totalling £lOO,OOO which have been paid into the Native Trustee’s account for disbursement through the various Maori Land Boards. Distressing Circumstances. “From various surveys undertaken to ascertain the state of the housing amenities possessed by the Maori people, the deplorable fact has been substantiated that for years many Maoris have been living under distressing circumstances in surroundings gravely injurious to the health and welfare of the race,” states the annual report of the Board of Native Affairs for the year ended March 31, 1938, “The measures now being taken to ameliorate their conditions have already relieved many pressing cases, and the scheme will gain momentum as the machinery and organisation become perfected. At the same time, it is realised that many Maoris are not ambitious in the matter of improving their habitations, being content to live as they have been accustomed and expend their moneys in a less essential direction than that suggested by the State’s housing scheme. Before permanent success can be achieved in improving his living conditions it is essential to arouse within the Maori himself that desire to better his mode of living. The Aotea Maori District. The report discloses that in the year under review the housing conditions in the Aotea district, the headquarters of which are at Wanganui, were reasonably good, although, in certain areas, such as the Wanganui River, there is still great need for improvement. The first housing application received in the Aotea district was in February 1937, and by the end of March 1937 40 applications had been lodged. By March 31, 1938 198 applications had come to hand. It is stated on good authority that many more have been received during the year which is to end next month. Any applicant for assistance is examined and asked what income he has and what amount ho is prepared to assign in repayment of any advance made. “In some cases the housing conditions are deplorable, yet the applicant's position is such that there is little or no security at all,” states the report with reference to the Wanganui district. “It. may be that the only income of the applicant is an old-age pension. In these cases the fact are reported to the Board of Native Affairs with a view to having an advance made under the indigent housing scheme. In several instances arrangements were made with the Public Works Department to have the house erected. In most cases, however, a local builder is requested to submit a price for a house. Poor Living Conditions.

“The conditions disclosed in some of the reports by the supervisors are shocking,” the report continues. “A typical case is that of an old building situated at Parikino Pa, on the Wanganui River. This building was described by the building supervisor as an old shack built of slabs and patched with sheets of iron. It had neither floor nor lining, and the chimney was built of iron. This miserable abode of one room contained the applicant, his wife and daughter, and, as stated by the supervisor, was unfit for human habitation. In another case, also on the Wanganui River, it was discovered that the applicant, his wife and throe adopted children were living in a one-roomed whare with neither flooring nor lining, their beds being spread on the earth floor, with dry fern-leaves and straw as the matting. “In both the foregoing cases it is very gratifying to be able to report that new houses have been erected under the indigent scheme.” The report discloses that, by March 31, 1938, in the Wanganui district seven houses were Lui It under the indigent scheme and two repaired, the total cost being £2250. Under the new Act 25 new houses were built and 15 repaired, the cost being £12,716. Thus, over the whole year, £14,966 has been spent in the Wanganui district on 49 buildings. The expenditure since that report has been published has increased much more.