MANAWATU HEADS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 195, 19 July 1939, Page 11

MANAWATU HEADS

BUILDINGS CRITICISED. ! DEPARTMENTAL REPORT. Derogatory reports on certain buildings at Mnnawatu Heads came before the monthly meeting, yesterday, of the Mnnawatu County Council, in a letter from the medical officer of health for this district (Dr. D. Cook) and a report by the Health Department’s inspector (Mr S. B. Reed). • “It is apparent from this report that the building by-laws of your county are not being complied with and undesirable conditions will, if not checked immediately, create a position which will lead to endless trouble,” stated the letter from Dr. Cook. “Building bydaws are, to a large extent, framed to prevent conditions arising such ns exist there. I understand that the council has discussed this matter and certain steps are contemplated, but I would welcome an assurance from your council that the by-laws are to be strictly enforced in the future. “A few prosecutions of the offenders would, in my opinion, draw tbe attention of prospective builders to the nccossity of obtaining building permits and a better condition would result therefrom.” The report by the inspector stated, inter alia: “An inspection was made of the beach cottages at Mnnawatu Heads. The land is the property of tbe Foxton Harbour Board and the sections are leased under Gbvgow lenses. Each section has a frontage of 06ft and the majority are of a quarter of an acre. The smallest is of 30 perches. In the terms of the lease it is required that a building of not less than £6O value shall be erected within a year from the date of taking over the lease. The lessees only take up tbe land with tbe intention of building week-end cottages and, in many cases, do the building themselves. “The materials used in the majority of the houses do not comply with the building by-laws and, in one case, I noticed willow driftwood bad been used for bouse blocks. There is a large quantity of second-hand timber used, and ordinary packing-case timber has been used. The sizes of tbe rooms do not appear to bo correct. I could only form an idea from the outsido, as they were all locked up, the owners being away. “There arc 33 of these cottages on the recently opened up portion of the river flat. Only seven can bo said to be completed. The others are in tbe course of erection, although most of them are open at tbe week-ends. There i.s great difficulty in supervising the building of these houses, as the work is generally done at the week-end.” The letter was received, ihe chairman (Cr. W. E. Barber) saying that appropriate action was being taken.