THE BOROUGH BY-LAWS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 80, 15 December 1887, Page 2

THE BOROUGH BY-LAWS.

A shout time ago, after careful and lengthy consideration, a Committee of the Borough Council revised the by-laws, and the altera, tions and additions recommended were endorsed by the Council. It might only have been expected that there would be some protest made when it was attempted to enforce the further obligation on the ratepayers—some quibble was almost certain to be raised. From a report of the proceedings on Tuesday night it will be seen that this has been the case were the Inspector has taken the preliminary steps to bring into operation the clauses relating to the providing of a fourhundred gallon tank at every building, and the imposition of a fee for every new building which is to be erected within a prescribed boundary. What struck us as being most amusing was that the Council were at loggerheads for over two hours in trying to atrive at the interpretation of the by-laws they had themselves framed. With regard to the bylaws themselves there can be no doubt that the provisions which occasioned so much discussion at the last meeting are necessary pnes, and there should have been no hesitation in enforcing them, The Inspector will have to use a deal of discretion, or they will become arbitrary. But in the oases which were under notice there was no legitimate reason for hesitating to put the clauses into effect. It is absolutely necessary for the preservation of health and the prevention of fire to use every precaution, and the by-laws which are objected to are such as to commend themselves to the favourable notice of all. There seems to be some room for dissention as to the manner in which the clauses have been framed, but be that as it may, the Council c annot now go outside of them. Having been passed and sanctioned the only thing to be done is to enforce them, otherwise, as Cr Townley very properly remarked, we might as well have no by-laws at all. That there should be sufficient water at every building, especially those in the heart of the town, and that the Council should have the power of inspecting buildings that are about to be erected,

are, we take it, very necessary provisions, and because these will necessarily put property owners to a little expense is surelyjjwt a sufficient reason for quibbling. It is simply ridiculous that Councillors should try to in any way vary the laws which they have made, after they have been once carefully drawn lip. Of course there are peculiar oases in which these may prove a hardship, but the objections received on Tuesday night are not of this class. The Council will not go far wrong if they support the actions of their Inspector, and it is not too much to say that he is not likely to inflict unnecessary hardships where they can possibly be avoided.