Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 2. 7th March 1973
Landlord desperate
Landlord desperate
Tenants said they were intimidated and threatened by Rama's tactics. He hired a well known criminal lawyer who sent long letters to tenants explaining the dire consequences they could expect if the money wasn't paid up. The tenants stood firm. Each block of flats elected a block chairman to channel latest developments to the TPA who in turn were always on hand when and wherever Rama showed his face. Pamphlets and newsletters were produced to keep all tenants informed of their rights and what action should be taken in various situations. Tenants organised a huge demonstration outside his house at Coromandel Street and had to hire a bus to get them there.
Rama was too frightened to issue any eviction notices as he knew that all the tenants would fight any attempt to throw one of the striking flats out. By December the squeeze was beginning to tell. One of Rama's properties was sold up by the mortgagees. Rama was desperate for money but still stubbornly refused to meet tenants and to talk to them. So the tenants decided to pay him nothing. Shortly after this Rama and his lawyer parted company and another firm was hired.