Friday, Oct 28, 2016
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THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY
It’s show time! Pony riders Ella and Lily Walker are two of many competitors who travelled long distances for this year’s show. FULL STORY
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Livvy Africa bound P2
Desperate to escape hovel BY MICHELLE NELSON
MICHELLE.N@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
IN TODAY’S GUARDIAN
A couple new to Ashburton are faced with the choice of living in squalor or homelessness. Chris Allen and Lizzie Akers arrived in Ashburton four months ago after their previous rental property was reclaimed for their landlord’s relatives. Both Allen and Akers suffer from serious health problems and were forced to take the rundown rental on Cox Street on a 12-month lease or sleep in their vehicle. Allen’s health has deteriorated to the point he is unable to work and Akers’ job offer with Silver Fern Farms fell through with the announcement the second slaughter chain would be mothballed for the season. They pay $290 a week for the uninsu-
lated, rundown property. Every room has cracked walls, the carpets reek of cat urine and two decrepit open fireplaces are the only form of heating. Paint peels from the rotting exterior weatherboards, gutters are missing and hemlock grows along the fenceline. Despite the appalling condition of the property, they are house proud people. The house is tidy and scrubbed as clean as it is possible to get it. Tears stream down Allen’s face as he describes their plight. In addition to a myriad of physical health problems he is severely depressed. The couple, who have previously opened their door to homeless people and earthquake refugees, had lived in Rangiora for many years, but their long-time landlords sold that property to move into a retirement village, Allen
said. They borrowed money off Winz to relocate to what they hoped would be a long-term rental in Temuka. As they were only there for a few months they were ineligible for further assistance to move to Ashburton. Allen sold his tools, ute and other belongings to pay the $600 bond and forward rent on the Cox Street property and moving costs. “If we didn’t take this place we would be homeless and I couldn’t do that to Lizzie,” he said. To make matters worse the couple’s old car recently broke down and can’t be repaired.
CONTINUED
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