DAMAGE DONE BY EARTHQUAKE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23716, 14 August 1942, Page 4

DAMAGE DONE BY EARTHQUAKE

POWER GIVEN TO ORDER REPAIRS REGULATIONS GAZETTED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 13. In a statement on the Earthquake Damage Regulations, dated August 10, which appear in to-night’s Gazette, the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) said that the regulations were an outcome of representations made to the Government by local authorities of the area which sustained heavy damage in the recent series of earthquakes, and were intended to operate temporarily until permanent legislation could be enacted. The most important feature was the power given to a local authority to serve notice on an owner requiring him to repair earthquake damage or requiring the removal of any dangerous part of his premises. Any owner falling to comply commits an offence and is liable to a fine of £SO. Provision is made for a right of appeal within three days to a magistrate, who may confirm, modify, or cancel the notice.

Provision is also made giving the local authority a charge over the land in respect of any moneys expended by it and providing machinery for registration. Authority is given to enter adjacent premises where the local authority considers entry desirable for the purpose of repairing earthquake damage. An adjacent owner has the right to recover damage if he. suffers any loss, The usual provisions are made for the serving of notices, and it is made an offence punishable with a fine of £SO to obstruct any person exercising any power under the regulations.