SLUM TENEMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2740, 19 February 1910, Page 2

SLUM TENEMENTS.

DISCUSSED BY THE AUCKLAND

CITY COUNCIL

In regard to Dr Purdy’s suggestion that the City Council should consider the advisability of dealing with the area comprising Duke, Dock and Hardings streets, and also the area embracing Cook, Morton, and Baker streets, which areas are overcrowded, and may be classed as insanitary, under the provisions of “The Municipal Corporations Act, 1905,” the Works Committee reported to last week’s meeting that it had no recommendation to make.

Mr G. Read said it would be a good tiling to set up a committee to go thoroughly into the question of slum tenements. A committee of some of the “brilliant minds” would be able to go into the matter from a financial and humanitarian point of view. It would bo a big financial undertaking. Mr Entriean: We eo'.drr borrow enough to make it a possibility.

Mr Parr said it was a good business proposition. These properties could be bought- up and turned into profitable investments.' Mr Michaels: The very place for workers’ homes. Mr Parr: Yes, other cities have done it. There is no reason why we should bo timid about it, and I think re should follow out Mr Read’s scheme and appoint a special committee to go into the whole question. Mr P. Mackay: I am glad to see a prominent satellite of Mr Massey’s converted to the leasehold. Mr. Parr: Nothing of the kind. Mr Mackay: Well, if ever we appropriate these properties, and (build workers’ homes, they would only be dealt with under the leasehold system. The Mayor: You are getting away from the question, gentlemen. The Works Committee’s report was adopted. 7