EARTHQUAKE RISKS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 121, 25 May 1931, Page 11

EARTHQUAKE RISKS

OVERHANGING MASONIIY

WHAT GISBORNE IS DOING

A LOCAL BODY'S. POWERS

Gisborno, alarmed by several severe shakes, has taken in hand the matter of removing dangerous cornices, etc., in a very thorough manner. As a similar task has begun less thoroughly in Wellington, where the amount of tophamper is much greater than in the smaller towns, the following . extract from the "Gisborno Times" is of interest:— "In all directions parties of men are engaged cither in tho work of rehabilitation, or the demolition of parapets, abutments, or ornaments which are considered a danger to the public. Tho chief concern to the public, judging by the interest displayed, lies, however, in the parapets, ornaments, etc., on business premises. These are daily scrutinised by standing groups of the public, and from tho remarks passed it is beyond doubt that where such dangers still oxist—and there are still many such places—the business suffers, as ■ customers will not enter such premisea. The keen business man therefore recognises that in addition to the duty he owes to tho public ho is studying his own interests by having dangerous parapets, ornaments, etc., romoved. "The Borough Council authorities are neaving no stono unturned iv securing the safety of the public, and a number of property-owners have been instructed to make alterations, such as the strengthening of certain portions of their building, or the demolition of overhanging or top-heavy dangers. In the great majority of cases the request has been willingly complied with. In case of refusal, however, the premises can, to all intents and purposes, bo condemned until the work is done. It was thought in certain quarters that special legislation would bo needed before an owner could be compelled to do such work. This, however, is not "the case, for, under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, ample power is given. This power is. contained in Clanes 297, which reads as follows:— " '(1) If any building in a borough 5g hi a. ruinous condition so as to be dangerous to persons therein gr in any adjoining buildings or to passers-by, the council may exercise the powers contained iv the tenth schedule thereto. " '(2) The word "building" in this section and in the said schedule includes any part of a building or anything affixed thereto, and also a wall or fence, -whether forming part of a building or not. Tenth Schedule. " ' (1) The council may put iip a ■hoarding or fence so as to prevent persons approaching nearer than is safe thereto; . "'(2) The council may givo notice t-o the owner of such building to secure or pull down the same within a time named in such notice. " '(3) If all danger is not removed by securing or taking down such building within such time, or by commencing so to do within such, time, and proceeding therewith with all reasonable expedition, any two Justices may, upon application to the council and after notice to the owner, order such building to be secured or takoii down as they think fit, within a time named in such order. " '(4) If such order is not obeyed the council may cause such building to be secured or taken down in compliance therewith. " '(5) The council may recover from siicli owner the cost of any such hoarding, or fence and the cost of securing or taking down such building, together with1 all oxpenses incurred under this schedule. •'-*' *-(0) Such notice or order may, in the" absence of the owner, be served npon his agent or upon tho occupier (if any) of such building, by fixing the same on the building. " '(7) If tho building is taken down by the council, the council may 'sell or destroy the materials or any part thereof, and apply the proceeds in or .towards payment of the expenses incurred under this schedule, and shall pay the residue (if any) to the owner on demand. "■'(8) In any case in which immediate danger is apprehended arising from the condition of any building, the Mayor muy, upon the report of the surveyor or some competent person appointed by the Mayor, by warrant under his hand, cause any measures to be taken necessary in his • judgment to secure the safety of tho public until the next meeting of tho council.' "The above clauses show that the power of tho council in this matter is supreme, and owners of dangerous parapets, ornaments, etc., are well advised in their own interest to consider the removal of such dangers forthwith." Special attention is being paid to the district schools.