SOLDIERS' CLUB

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 12 February 1921, Page 8

SOLDIERS' CLUB

QUESTION OF OVERHANGING

EAVES

REFERRED BACK TO COMMITTEE

When the report of the Works Committee came before the Borough Council last evening, Cr Cameron moved that the report be' adopted with exception of the clause refusing the Returned Soldiers' Association a

relaxation of the building by-laws so as to perihit the erection of the new clu^'- with overhanging eaves instead pi' parapets. 1 Cr Lewis seconded. -The motion-was carried. Cr Cameron, in moving that a relaxation of tlie by-laws be granted so as to permit of the erection of the ' Soldiers' Club' without parapets, re-\ ferred to their indebtedness to the returned soldiers, without whom " they may not t be there to grant or refuse relaxation. He pointed out that there would be little damage from fire, and that the parapets. would be unsightly and costly. That, however, should not influence them so much as the desire to help the soldiers. Cr Joll, in seconding, said there was very little danger of fire, and this was what mainly, influenced the Works Committee. Without a parapet the building would look, very much better. If there was any danger from fire the brigade was handy. .Laughter.) ' Cr Lewis • thought it possible that the building was safe as shown in the plan. From an architectural point of view he would like to see eaves instead of parapets,' and the danger they sought to avoid was minimised by the isolation of the building. If they built a town hall the parapets -could, if necessary, be erected then. Cr Morrissey: The Works Committee had jaot looked at the matter from

a sentimental point of view, though iiheir sympathies were undoubtedly with the soldiers. The: idea of parapets was to prevent the spread of fire. •Suppose the building .took fire and it spread to the Technical School. They would not permit a relaxation of the by-law with anyone else, and he thought they should, insist on its ob-

servance in this case.

The Mayor said past experience would show whether he was in sympathy with the soldiers, but he was not. going to let sentiment override Judgment.; If a fire occurred some

time in the future thousands of; pounds' worth of property might be imperilled, and the blame would rest with the present Council and, the Mayor. He was • going to stand for the enforcement of the by-law. Cr Reid said the Works Committee

were willing to have any further light thrown on the position, and" if this was possible he would move that the matter be referred back to the committee. '■■■■'.. Cr Lewis pointed out that it may be possible to have the building fireproof and yet have overhanging eaves; non-inflammable materials might be used. • ■ ; .■

At the request of Cr Osborne the engineer's report on . the matter was read.. The engineer reported that he was averse to the proposal from a firerfighting point of view. Cr Osborne said the main thing was the _ question of fire, and on this the

-engineer's report was unfavourable to the granting of the relaxation. He opposed referring the Works Committee's report back in the face of what the engineer said. The Mayor: The committee cannot got over the fire objection. If they granted the relaxation the report by the engineer would be on record against them. Cr Lewis asked if the Works Comrriittee had called any evidence on the matter. Cr Reid: No.

Cr Morrissey: If the Council can be assured that there would be a fireproof building there would be no objection to the overhanging eaves. . The Mayor ■ If we do not grant relaxation there will be "nothing to present the architects coming forward with fresh-. plans.

The amendment that the report be referred back to the committee was -carried. '