Wider heating exemption

Press, 3 July 1979, Page 6

Wider heating exemption

Any form of enclosed, solid-fuel heating is now legal in Paparua County. The council last evening, on a split vote, decided to widen an exemption it made in May and allow the solidfuel burning appliances in all houses. The May resolution allowed the replacement of open fires in existing houses by a selection of approved solid-fuel appliances. “At the present time we are victimising urban ratepayers; elsewhere you can do what you like,” said the mover of the motion, Cr W. IJ» Baker.

Opposing rhe motion, Cr E. C. Britnelt described it as

“the most poorly worded resolution I have ever seen put.

“Had the rest of Christchurch done something I might never have brought this motion to the table,” Cr Baker replied. The situation had changed considerably since the original decision to ban solidfuel heating in new housing. Price rises for oil and electricity plus the possibility of industrial action by the elec-, trical workers had made the motion necessary, he said. Electricity was cheaner than other forms of heating l and no advantage would be given to ratepayers by passing the motion, said Cr J. C. Wilson.