CONDEMNED BUILDINGS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1248, 4 October 1911, Page 5

CONDEMNED BUILDINGS.

A STRONG PROTEST. (By Telezranh.—Press Association.) Christchurch, October 3. The methods adopted by the District Health * Officer with regard to tho condemnation of buildings were referred to at a meeting of the City Council last night. Councillor Williams said that two properties in St. Albans that were condemned he haff himself inspected!''' ahd ,: "lle thought it was a scandalous shame that orders should have been issued for their destruction.;- "The promises were a credit to any working man. Tho interior's for workmen's residences were in a perfect condition, and the exteriors looked very pood. Tho yards were exceptionally clean, and the houses were connected with the Sower. ' He was given to understand that when the Hoalth Officer visited tho houses the tenants were away from home, and ho had no chance of seeing the interiors. It was a scandalous shame that | a Government officer should condemn houses that in his (Councillor Williams) opinion would be good for another ten or fifteen years. The Mayor, in reply to a question by Councillor Williams, said that the council liad to carry out the Health Officer's instructions, but owners had right of appeal. If they did not comply with tho notice given by the council, the District Health Officer had to go to the Magistrate's Court for an order, and this was the owner's opportunity to lodge objections. The Health Officer was a Government official, and tho council had nothing to do with his appointment or the manner in which he carried out his duties. Tho customary procedure was that when an owner objected a second inspection was made, .and when an owner made representations to tho Health 'Officer they received careful consideration. On more than one occasion tho Health Officer who had condemned a building had been afterwords satisfied with the repairs being effected. His Worship was sure that in the instances referred to by Councillor Williams, if proper representations were made, they would receive full consideration. . Tho statement made by Councillor Williams was brought under tho notice of Dr. Finch, District Health Officer to-day. Dr. Finch said that he did not caro to discir-s the matter at present, save to say that ho would take steps to vindicate the good name of the Department. He did not know yet to which Houses Councillor Williams referred..

In reply to a question, Dr. Finch stated that the condition of a number of houses which had lately been condomned was brought under his notice by the inspectorial staff of tho City Council.