METAL YARD AT WOOLSTON

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28157, 21 December 1956, Page 12

METAL YARD AT WOOLSTON

COMPLAINT ABOUT STATE OF SITE

An assurance has been given the Health Department by a metal firm at Woolston that, to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant pools of water, oil will be sprayed on the water regularly until the area is built up soon. No evidence was found by the inspector of any rat infestation of scrapmetal piles. A complaint had been made by the Hillcote Improvement Society to the Heathcote County Council. The inspector’s report, received by the council last evening, said that at the time of the visit no mosquito wrigglers or larvae were observed in the two stagnant pools at the rear of the section, but there were large numbers of back swimmers and a small water fly. Theoretically, scrap metal piles could provide rat harbourage; but as no food was available to the rats among the metal, he thought it unlikely that any problem would arise. In a letter, the Improvement Society said that, as the council had no operative district scheme, it could still rezone the area occupied by the company as residential if it wished. The council decided to ask the company whether it had given any effect to the assurance and the suggestions of the Drainage Board for the drainage of the land. Cr. C. D. Le Comte said that the company’s building did not comply with the by-laws. “That is correct, but the building is well constructed,” said the county inspector (Mr E. F. Johnson). The walls were two feet higher than they should have been, but the foundations went down to solid ground. The chairman (Mr F. W. Freeman) said that, although the building might not comply with the pern-fit. it was well constructed and the council should not be severe. “Why should this building be the subject of such scrutiny and criticism?” he asked, when Cr. Le Comte said he was not satisfied. “I want to know, for future reference. whether we are going to abide by the by-laws,” said Cr. Le Comte. Mr Freeman: You had better have a run round all the buildings in the county.

Mr Johnson said dispensations had been granted for many buildings and houses. A certain amount of latitude had to be given, said the chairman.