NOT UNDERSTOOD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 81, 7 April 1931, Page 3

NOT UNDERSTOOD.

POWERS OF COMMISSION.

CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

NAPIER, Monday.

The powers and functions of the Napier Commission have been explained by the chairman, Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., in view of the fact that a wrong impression exists in this connection. Mr. Barton said the commission exercised the functions of the Napier Borough Council, the present state of the borough requiring it to give immediate attention to drainage and water supply problems. In the matter of ruined buildings, it had no. more power than the council had on the day of the earthquake. In particular, it had no power to enter upon private property and peremptorily pull down or remove parts of buildings because they were a menace to adjoining owners' property. If the building was a menace to passers-by in the streets or to users in the ordinary course of events, there was certain power which had always existed under the Municipal Corporations Act. " - -!< It was obvious that it wa& a waste of time to approach the commissioners with requests that they should remove individual hardships {rom leaky taps to bricks on back lawns. The council's officers were still functioning, though, of course, they were exceptionally busy on tasks directed on broad general construction and the restoration of services.

The commissioners had no power to interfere between landlord and tenant and to Fettl-i disputes in the matter of rent or possession of premises, or to interfere between debtor and creditor. A great deal of time was wasted every day in repeating over and over again explanations of this kind. In general terms, all law for the adjustment of risrhts between private parties wa.* st>" existing and persons aggrieved should do a little thinking in their own interests and take ordinary steps.