Petition over 'fire risk’

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34087, 26 February 1976, Page 11

Petition over 'fire risk’

I A group of Moncks , Bay residents have | asked the Christchurch , City Council to take a piece of hill side property under the provisions of the Noxious i Weeds Act. • In a petition signed by 35 i persons, the residents said • the property was bought by; i its present owner 20 years'

ago, and had a ’ history oft neglect and repeated fires. In February, 1973, a brush; fire destroyed five homes on Clifton Hill and damaged sev-i ' era! others. According to residents, ’ seven fires over the years have required volunteer help., . Fires blazed quickly, especi-i ’ ally when there was a breeze.t ' and gorse was widespread on the property. The owner had used fire in the past to get rid of weeds and excessive growth without regard for neighbours, and ! some residents had been intimidated enough to leave the

A year-round fire ban on , the property has also been suggested by some residents, j The property owner named in the petition could not be reached for comment. According to the New Zealand Post Office telephone directory service, his name does not appear on their norma! or unlisted files. The Chief City Health Inspector (Mr A. P. Millthorpe) said a supplementary report on the problem was being prepared for Thursday's health and general committee meeting. The committee chairman! ,(Cr Newton Dodge) was pot : yet aware of ' the petitips| and he would see th£ coumt cil officer’s first on Thursday morning, , Until" then. Mr Millthorpe said, he could not comment on the issue. |