Official newspaper of the Auckland University Students Association. Volume 56, Issue 4, March 23 1982. Brooklyn Heights Hustle s And yet another story of low The flats are priced upwards of cost inner city housing gone into $30, 000 and the price seems to vary the hands of the Ponsonby-villa depending on the weather. One type investors. The Brooklyn tenant who inquired about his flat apartments, located down past the was given two different quotes, and InterContinental on Eden Crescent, later was informed about the have long been noted for their $10, 000 renovation fee (non- unique architecture, ambience and refundable) to be used for public location amongst those who favour, places (lifts, stairs etc. ). Any (out of preference or necessity) the renovation to be done within the inner city life. flats came out of the buyers' pocket, Built in 1930, there have been including the re-wiring and re­ tenants who have lived there for plumbing required by the Council. upwards of thirty years, long before Mr Hill, the marketing manager, the gas shortage and city nightlife would not comment on any spawned trendy city living. marketing details. Last year the apartments sold. Current renters are notably R. A. Wood Investments Ltd. disturbed. There is a lack of bought the building and the charge- communication between Hill, ownership was put into the hands of Hoffman, and the tenants, and most a builder-investor Peter Hoffman. don’t know the fate of their The plans for the building included lodgings. two Penthouses to be built on the Meanwhile many claim that their roof and general renovation of the apartments have been entered by building, with the ultimate goal of prospective buyers while they were selling the apartments as individual out. units. For many of the elderly Renters on the upper floors are tenants, this sudden change of equally uncertain about their events sent them packing; their futures. Hoffman admits that he is tenancy agreements were changed working from the ground upwards, to include a clause which would ensuring higher prices for the more allow them to be evacuated at three prestigious views, but many wonder weeks notice. where they will go when the As the elderly tenants moved out, renovations begin. younger people moved in. Low rents Where will the 72 year old were attractive ($30-$60 depending gentleman on the third floor find on size) as well as the building itself; housing? the closest thing to veritable Yet it is difficult to slander Brooklyn. All looked like things Hoffman as a hard core capitalist could be cheery for months: no investor. He is soft-spoken, a middle apartments were being sold and the aged Dutch fellow whose demeanour landlord rarely minded if you fell indicates his dire straits. He asked behind in the rent. not to to be ‘crucified’ by the story But the investor’s dream turned and offered a solution, albeit in nightmare. This time last year the hindsight. “In Europe the Council stipulated massive government provides for developers renovations to be done on the low housing mortgage money for 25- building. Meanwhile Hoffman’s 30 years. I could build 2-3000 units $900, 000 loan at 25% interest was with rent control - builders have rapidly drawing due. work, people have housing. The And so the present situation. developer could go halves with the Hoffman has employed a hard sell government, at say 9% housing marketing manager to sell off the corporation interest. Here with 12 first three floors and basement month mortgage interest at 25% before the March bankruptcy there is no solution. ” hearing. The tenants were given The future of Hoffman vs. the priorities on their flats, and people is yet to be seen. Tenants are Hoffman even indicated that he organising themselves and would offer life tenancy for anyone researching their rights, secretly who could help raise mortgage hoping that the money won’t be money. Prospective buyers, lured by raised and that future ownership a sweet sounding Herald would bring better prospects. advertisement, are wooed into For those in the investment contracts with much fine print, and bracket, one piece of advice: buyers little time to scrutinize it. 1. Rafkin AUSA SCSP Accounts W hitewash T V. P oll p. 14-16 p . 4 p. 11 Hello Salient! Craccum March 23 • 1 William Tells Presidential I don’t know what I’m doing here. Nor, apparently, does Craccum. In this issue, as in others of this year and past years, there is a curious and slightly uneasy mix of articles on world Chatshow politics and articles on student politics and the university. My heartfelt thanks to those of I suppose this reflects a divergence of opinion on what you who are still attempting to read Craccum’s purpose is. Is it for publicising political views of the this column. I realise you probably world that differ from the one we are used to seeing in have better things to do with the establishment media? Or is Craccum’s proper direction to time you spend reading Craccum than trying to digest the pearls of report on and criticise developments in the University? the chatshow, but there’s still a Supporting the second view is easy. The University is a chance I will write something in it corrupt and repressive system; with some work and that interests you. investigation, people (i. e. Craccum reporters) could stir up quite Last week has prompted me to a lot of good shit, and eventually be gloriously destroyed by the spend some time discussing what powers-that-be (wow! martyr complex! ). And the articles about you do in your lunch hour. Today, of course, you will be reading Craccum, world politics, because of the distance from the events and the and right now you will be reading difficulty of finding different news sources, can easily become a the President’s column, but what of radicalised rehash of the Six o’clock news. the other four lunch hours of the But thinking that the University is Craccum’s only sphere is academic week? happen at 1 o’clock: first and narrow minded. A university does not exist independent of the Wednesday at 1 is the time for foremost Students Against Racism Students’ Representative Council meet in the Exec Lounge, and world; it is part of a community. National and International (SRC). SRC debates and decides on second various silly people play events can and do affect it, often to the detriment of the Association policy, as well as indoor soccer in the Rec Centre (legs students. There is a need for strong and perceptive criticism of electing Student Representatives in abound). the nation. Papers like Craccum could fill that need. all sorts of places. That may sound And so back to Tuesday, when So where does this leave schizoid Craccum? Right back where boring, but anyone who went to last Craccum’s out again and yet more it started. week’s meeting can tell you that the articles, notices, information. Those W. Mcllhagga major item of business was jokes. At are the regular things, but many ISSUE 4 CRACCUM Vol 56 1982 the moment SRC is held in Library other events take place at lunch Editor.............................................David Faulls CRACCUM is registered with the Post Ofice Lecture Theatre BIO. time. Most allow you to eat your Technical Editor................William Mcllhagga as a newspaper. It is published by the More free entertainment occurs lunch while you’re there, so Craccum Administration Board for the Advertising Manager................. Jason Kemp nothing’s lost. Auckland University Students’ Association, every Thursday fortnight in the Assistant Editors..................................... Jenny Renals Maidment at 1. Last Thursday Sir Oh, a special date for till fun ..........................................................Paul Grinder and printed by Wanganui Newspapers Ltd. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily Typesetters................................ Barbara Amos Dove Myer Robinson spoke about lovers: next Thursday 25 March at 1 ......................................................Raewyn Green anyone’s, including the Editorial Staff, and in the possibilities of nuclear war, and in the Old Grad Bar is the inaugural Photographer....................................... Leo Jew no way represent the official policy (should on April 1 Hiwi Tauroa will be meeting of the Campus Arts Team, there be any) of the Association. Apologies to all you fantastic contributors out there who are about to find out that their works speaking. Keep an eye out for the ‘Of dedicated to making campus life of art and so on have not made it into the pages of Craccum this week. There are quire a few of you Cabbages and Kings’ posters, or else more lively. Be a CAT! — for example, I had enough letters to fill about five pages and there are only three in this edition come in and ask Tom Bassett what’s I’ll leave what the rest of the day — I ’ll do my best to accommodate you all in Craccum 5. on or who you think we should invite holds in store to the noticeboards, I guess I ’m just about to find out what editing is all about. A big hello to the new Craccum writers — there it is in print; how does it feel? to speak. but you get the general idea. Big thankyous to all the production people. You’re all as mental as anything; was an enjoyable And on to Fridays, when the I hope your year has got off to a layout session. See you all again next Tuesday/Thursday. Music Faculty organises (wait for it) good start. Take care, pay attention Craccum subscriptions, Sllp. a. Editorial, Ph 30-789 ext 67. Advertising, ext ‘Friday at One’, a free concert held and keep on your toes.