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Salient. Victoria University Students Newspaper. Volume 37, No 26. October 2, 1974

People want houses not — Homesteal Chickens

page 2

People want houses not — Homesteal Chickens

"I would like to suggest that my experience as manager of a take-away chicken bar will be an invaluable asset to the board in the event of my election."

"I would like to suggest that my experience as manager of a take-away chicken bar will be an invaluable asset to the board in the event of my election."

Many people feel that the forth-coming local body elections are a waste of time because no matter which way the voting goes very little real progress will be made. However, some change can be brought about on specific issues, and the Wellington Hospital Board is a clear example.

For years, the Board has pursued a dubious development plan of buying up properties wherever it can. It now owns over 100 properties, and acts as one of the worst landlords in Wellington. The Tenants' Protection Association has had a large number of complaints against the Board, including keeping houses empty for months on end during a housing shortage.

The most recent incident concerns the new Homestead Chicken Bar in Adelaide Road, Newtown. This is built on Hospital Board land, which has been zoned "Public Medical" since 1969. The Board rented out three houses there until recently when they were approached by Homestead Foods, a branch of Watties with an "attractive offer". That's how the Board's Deputy Secretary described the proposal to lease the land to Homestead for five years, with right of renewal at $2,700 a year.

Homestead Foods agreed to destroy the houses and remove the rubble. The fact that this would cost three families their homes did not worry the Hospital Board at all, so they set about evicting the tenants in a brutal, intimidatory fashion.

First they ordered the familes out without any alternative accommodation. One tenant continued to pay rent, and the Board continued to accept it, meaning that a further month's notice had to be given each time. Eventually the Hospital Board tried to obtain a court order to remove this tenant.

By this stage. Homestead was using a bulldozer to demolish the other two houses. One wall just happened to fall on the occupied house and the bulldozer blade just happened, quite by accident we're sure, to pass through its pantry wall, cutting off the water, gas and electricity.

The tenant, by this time, was thoroughly frightened by the eviction attempts, since Hospital Board employees called on her to say the house was now very dangerous. She was finally able to obtain a state house, so Homestead Foods could go ahead with their latest "chicken bar".

Last Tuesday, September 24, the chicken bar's opening day was marked with a picket by TPA members, Labour Party Council candidates and others. A leaflet was distributed calling on residents to boycott the chicken bar.

The main intention of the demonstration was to point out the Hospital Board's sick priorities, in concerning itself with money at the expense of people. It is hardly showing concern for health when it evicts tenants in order to be a party to selling unhealthy take-away style food. The board has lost sight of its community welfare and health objectives in this misguided attempt to finance its empire building.

For some time, the Hospital Board has contained a majority of "Citizens" candidates. The Labour Party's policy is opposed to the present ruthless expansion. Voting out the present Hospital Board may be one way to improve the housing situation in Wellington.

What comes first? The Chicken or the...

What comes first? The Chicken or the...