BOROUGH FAVOURITISM?

Grey River Argus, 22 November 1939, Page 5

BOROUGH FAVOURITISM?

BUILDING BY-LAWS Fire Superintendent’s Complaint “That’s rather provocative, isn’t it?” asked Mr. F. S. Grant at yesterday’s meeting of the Greymouth Fire Board, when the following paragraph in the quarterly report of the Superintendent (Mr. P. Deere) was read to the meeting:-— "The Borough Council refused us 1 permission to shift the two bedrooms from Blaketown up to the back of the Central Station, as it is against the by-laws. Yet the Council gives permits, against the b\ -laws, all over the town, for buildings and repairs. It all depends who you are with the Council. Some people can do just as they like, and the Council won’t take a stand and have the same by-law for everybody.” A letter was received from the Greymouth Borough Council advising that the Board’s application for permits to erect reel houses in Reid Street, Blaketown, and Fox Streets, Cobden had been granted, but that the Council had refused a permit for the erection of two bedrooms at the rear of the Central Fire Station. “On what grounds?” asked Mr. F.

S. Grant. Mr. R. J. Williams said that the objection was due to the building being in the brick area. Mr. Grant asked if the Superintendent’s report would be published. The Chairman (Mr. W. H. Parfitt) : As you say, gentlemen. Mi - . Grant: ft would be provocative in Christchurch anyway, if not here.

The Superintendent said that it might be hard on lhe Council, but it would be different, if the Board did not have the material for the bedrooms. It would be built out of the ; road, and it was a poor outlook for .•the town if the Fire Station was goto get burnt. The Council had allowed wood and iron buildings to -be built all over the town. Mr. Grant asked whether the bylaw stated that if a wooden building was burnt in the brick area, it would have to be replaced by brick. The Chairman: Yes. Mr. Grant: We as a Board should not encourage this then. The Superintendent pointed out that, since the Board’s application had been put in, wood had been used in the centre of the town. In one case, a bond had been given that a certain building would be pulled down within two years. Six years had gone by, and part of the building had been sold and was being reconstructed. “It all depends on who you are,’’ he added. Mr. Grant: Or what you are?

The Superintendent: I suppose there is a Jot in that, too. I would like to know if the Fire Inspector has any standing, or is just here for a blind. Mr. Grant: Who is the Fire Inspector? The Superintendent: I am. Mr. Grant asked if that was the usual position In other towns. The Chairman said that the Superintendent had always been the Fire Inspector. j The Secretary (Mr. E. J. Rundle), i pointed out that the building to which the Superintendent, had referred had neither fire escape nor windows. A storeroom had been built, and there was considerable danger of tire. Mr. E. H. Box said that the Board was in a difficult position. They as a Fire Board should uphold the bylaws of the town. They were kicking up because they could not get a permit, but. they should not encourage others to break them. Mri Grant: Our position is impossible. We really should ask the Council to enforce the by-laws. The Secretary: They shelter under the hardship clause! The Superintendent: There is too much inconsistency. Mr. Box said that the Board should decide whether or not to take the matter further with the Council.

They had declined tenders received for the building al Blaketown, and now had to decide what to do about it. The Superintendent said that the building was probably not worth £2O. It could be used for the two- reel houses. Mr. Box: This Board could bring to the Council's notice the matter of buildings being erected in wood in the centre cd the town. Mr. Grant: In the circumstances, I don’t think we can deal with the Council. Mr. Box: It certainly is dangerous. A suggestion by Mr. Williams that the Blaketown Station be used for the construction of the reel houses, was adopted, and the Superintendent was instructed to make the necessary arrangements. On Mr. Box’s motion, seconded by Mr. Grant, it was decided to write to the Council accepting their decision, but pointing out that the Council was permitting others to break the by-» laws by erecting wooden buildings in the brick area.