CAMPBELL’S BUILDING

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 September 1924, Page 3

CAMPBELL’S BUILDING

“A FENCE WOULD BE BETTER.”

During the discussion of the Engineer's report at last evening's meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council an application for temporary repairs to campbell’s building, at the corner of Tainui and Mackay Streets, evoked a lively discussion. The Engineer (Mr E. M. Williams) said 1 that he had received a verbal request for permission to have a new gable erected on one side of the building, and other temporary repairs effected, on the understanding that the building would be demoilished in two years.

Cr. F .A. Kitchingham said that from what he could gather the Council was forced with these alternatives. The owners were not prepared to go ahead with a building scheme for two years. If the repairs were not permitted, the building would remain as it was; if the building were demolished, the owners would probably surround the section with a fence which would possibly be tarred—in any case it would look no better if it were painted. If the repairs were effected, the corner would at least be active and at the end of two years a respectable building would replace it. He thought that if the request were acceded to, the Council should have a definite understanding that a new bunding would be erected within two years. He proposed that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee. Cr J. W. Greenslade said that the building was old, rotten and dilapidated, and repairs should not be allowed in any form. The building was not at present occupied and was not in the hands of people who could not afford to put up a better construction. For years the Council had looked forward to seeing at , that corner a fine brick building worthy of the town. As to the alternative of a tarred tin fence, he could not imagine that any citizen with the interests of the town at heart would do such a thing. “I did not say that they would do it,” said Cr Kitchingham. Cr Baty, referring to the growth of Greymouth and the need of buildings worthy of its importance, said it had outstripped all the rival towns. “The Chicago of the South,” said the Mayor, facetiously, amidst laughter.

Cr Baty said he thought buildings that had seen service for such a long number of years should be pensioned, and people should be public spirited enough to put up good buildings. Cr G. R. Harker also opposed the granting of a permit and stated that even if a fence were> built around the section it woulld be better.

“I’m sorry, gentlemen,” said the Mayor, “but there’s nothing before the meeting, so I can’t take a resolution. The permit will have to bo applied for in writing.” “It is unlikely that a iJermit will he applied for now,” said Cr Kitchingham amidst laughter. Another matter which the Engineer mentioned in his report was that the Mawhera Meat Company wished to re-erect portion of their building in wood. The length of the portion requiring to be rebuilt was only about eleven feet. Ci - Kitchingham said that the building was in the brick area, but it appeared to be one of those cases in which the hardship clause applied. It was not as if a whole building were to be erected.

Cr J. McGinley opposed ffie suggestion. “You make by-laws, he said, “and break them as soon as you have made them.”

“There is no suggestion that we are breaking the by-laws,” said Cr Kitchingham. “To erect a patch of brick in this place would be ludicrous. There is a difference between that and erecting a building.” Cr T. B. Baty agreed that the bylaw couild be relaxed jn this instance, but he thought it was time they went, thoroughly into the question of the brick area with the idea of extending it. The town was growing, and the building in the centre should be a credit to it. Granting permits for wooden constructions was only putting off the day that the town would be all brickIt was agreed to grant permission to the Mawhera Meat Company to carry out the repairs.