TEMPORARY WALL IN THE BRICK AREA

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume L, Issue 7965, 20 April 1922, Page 3

TEMPORARY WALL IN THE BRICK AREA

MR WASHER SEEKS FURTHER EXTENSION OF TIME

At the meeting of the Borough Council on the 12th inst., a letter was read from Mr C. F. Washer, who wrote under date April 11, as follows : “ I hereby beg of you to extend permission to allow wall in dispute to stand for a period of twelve months from date. 1 will then be prepared to erect wall in another position. At the present time my finances would not stand the strain of any costly building. I trust you will give this vour favourable consideration.”

Mr Washer was present. After the letter was read, he said he understood he had permission in regard to the present wall until June, but he did not think he could build by then. Cr Scantlebury to Mr Washer —Can you give us a definite idea when you will build ? Mr Washer — Twelve months from now I think I will be in a position to do it. I certainly could not do it at the present time. I will sign a bond that 1 will build in tvvehe months.

The Mayor stated that Mr Washer had approached him. Pie told Mr Washer that he believed in the by-laws regarding the brick aiea being carried out. At the request of the Mayor Mr Washer then retired. Cr Walker—What was done with the telephone stables? Cr Whiting explained that the decision of the arbitrators was that the owner is to take up the old floor ; carry out certain excavation ; build the front in brick or concrete ; make four shops; build the wall on the west side in brick or concrete, and the other walls to he repaired in accordance with the borough by-laws. Cr Jones stated that if the lastmentioned walls are capable of being repaired within the meaning of the borough by-laws they are to be repaired, but if not they must be in brick or concrete. Cr Walker—What about the roof ? Cr Whiting—That has nothing to do with us. Replying to Cr B.iigent, Cr Whiting said if fifty per cent of the walls were not repairable they must be built in brick or concrete, Cr Wrigley thought it would have been better for the owner to have erected a building in permanent material. Cr Walker moved—That Mr Washer be granted an extension oj twelve months. Cr Scantlebury seconded pro forma. Cr Wrigley said the cases of the stables and Mr Washer’s were not similar. One was a new building and the other was an old building. The Mayor said Mr Washer’s request was not in compliance with the by-laws. The Council could only give an extension for six months.

Cr Wrigley wanted to know if the matter affected the insurance of premises in the vicinity of Mr Washer’s building ? Cr Walker then altered his motion to the effect that at the end of the first six months Mr Washer be asked to renew his application for another extension of six months. Cr Whiting said he was against the proposal. Cr Scanllebury expressed approval of the motion. Cr Wrigley said he cou’d not support the motion. The by-laws should be observed. If one person were given a concession others f, would have to get It The cost of ! permanent walls is not prohibitive. The Mayor—l will stick for the : observance of the by-laws in the | brick area. Mr Washer has not ! given the undertaking that was

asked for by the Council Cr Walker’s motion was put and lost, the votes being Ayes, Crs Walker and Scantlebury. Noes, the Mayor, Crs Wrigley, Jones and Whiting. Cr Baigent did not vote. Three councillors were absent. Mr Washer was then called in. The Mayor informed Mr Washer that his application was out of order, as the Council could only grant six months’extension. Mr Washer had not given the Council the written undertaking that was required of him Mr Washer explained that he came to the last meeting and said he had been detained in the country.

The Mayor—How many weeks have you had in which to give the undertaking ? Mr Washer—l don’t think it is a fair thing to ask me to sign it. Mr Washer then amended his application to read for six months extension. Cr Baigent asked Mr Washer if extension were given for six months would the wall then be erected ? Mr Washer—Yes, if I can borrow the money. If I could borrow I would put it up now. Mr Washer retired at the Mayor’s request. The Mayor said he had asked Mr Shearman if Mr Washer had signedthe necessary undertaking, prepared by the Clerk, and was told Mr Washer had not done so. The Clerk confirmed the Mayor’s statement. Cr Walker moved—That Mr Washer be granted six months’ extension of time from date. Cr Scantlebury seconded. Cr Wrigley said it pays to build in permanent material, and you get a decent town. If a concession is given to one it will have to be given to others. The motion was negatived, the voting being Ayes, Cr Walker, Scantlebury and Baigent. Noes,

the Mayor, Crs Jones, Wrigley and Whiting. Cr Whiting moved-That Mr Washer’s application be not granted. The motion was seconded by Cr Jones and carried by four voces to three.