STATE HOUSES AND PERMITS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28257, 20 April 1957, Page 4

STATE HOUSES AND PERMITS

Waimairi County Discussion

Waimairi county councillors on Wednesday evening protested at the erection of buildings in the county by the State which did not comply with the county bylaws. The discussion arose from recommendations of the townplanning and reserves committee on water closet ventilation in State flats built in Riccarton road, and the siting of a carport with a Housing Construction house in the Parade of Homes in Way side street.

When the council wrote to the Christchurch Drainage Board on the absence of natural ventilation in the water closets in the flats the board replied that a system of ventilation by means of ducts, approved by the board, had not been effective. The Ministry of Works had been asked to install an electrically driven fan. The carport in Wayside street was sited forward of the front line of the building, contrary to the county by-laws, said the committee’s report.

The chairman (Mr W. E. Cassidy) said that the division had agreed that a carport would be subject to the same requirements of siting as garages. Ci*. J. L Colligan said: “I am rather surprised that the Housing Division has built such beautiful blocks of flats in my riding without proper ventilation in the water closets. . . . The Housing Division can build a house anywhere without submitting plans to this council. In the Parade of Homes they built houses for which they did not submit plans or obtain a permit.” Protest Suggested “It seems to me that if it is good enough for private individuals to comply with provisions it is good enough for the Housing Division,” said Cr. P. WynnWilliams. “I move that a protest be made to the Housing Division against its practice of erecting buildings and dwellings which do not in some respects comply wth the requirements of the county by-laws and conditions,” said Cr. WynnWilliams. “What power have we to enforce the code after the house is built?” asked Cr. C. L. Austin. 'The Crown was not bound by county by-laws, said the county clerk (Mr K. Maclachlan). The Drainage Board approved of drainage matters in the sewered area, not the council. “I understand that our health inspector has the power to prohibit the occupation of a house,” said Cr. Colligan. ' “I think the Government ought to accept our procedure, even if it is not bound,” said Cr. R. H. McDonald. Cr. H. J. Reynolds, Cr. F. W. Walter, and Cr. A. R. Blank said that the council was on dangerous ground. “Let us tread carefully,” said Cr. Walter. “I think we should ask for the plans, but let us ask for them quietly.” Cr. Reynolds moved an amendment that the county engineer bring down a report on the subject. This amendment was carried as a motion.