BUILDING PERMITS AND DRAINAGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 13 September 1924, Page 4

BUILDING PERMITS AND DRAINAGE

CITY COUNCIL’S DIFFICULTY

The City Council last evening had before it an opinion from Mr Martin, municipal solicitor, regarding the vexed question of .building permits and drainage. The property m question was one on Victoria Heights. Cr- Gibbs said he had had a good look round the locality. There wore lovely sites there, and what were they going to do if they received half a dozen similar applications. Were they going to hold them all up r H© was agreeably surprised at ithe extent of the sections, and there was ample space to dispose of drainage. fhe final authority appeared to be the medical officer of health. There were many properties near by without drainage. He suggested that the ground be split up by means ot explosives, It was not a diphtheria, centre, which one would expeot from, stagnant water lying on the ground. Refusing these permits meant putting the district back.' He, however, quite realised the position from the Engineer’s point of view. ... , The Mayor said he did nob like tp block -nrogress ,and if the medical officer were agreeable he would be satisfiCCr Moffatt: We are under so many penalties. What is there in reference to this matter? . . » The Engineer : £2o—-drainage of bath-water into a trench _of mnders could not be considered satisfactory. Cr. Gibbs asked the Engmeer whether he considered the hills should remain bare ~ . i Tlie Engineer said a septic tanK could be constructed for the lot. Cr Watson said the permit was for a, couple of old people, and the dramage of bath water, etc., would not bo a big matter. If they were going to hold up all building outside the dramage area it would be a serious thing. The Mayor said there was no certainty how long the house would bt

so occupied. Ci-. Gibbs asked the Engineer how about splitting up the land ! He explained that it was mostly close sandstone rock under 4ft from the surface,, quite unsuitable for disposal of drainage by irrigation. Cr. Nightingale said the only way out of the difficulty was to get the drainage extended • It was not light to block progress. The Engineer -said the property could be connected to the sewer foi £BO ,and if each section holder paic £l6 the matter could be settled. The matter was referred back t< Committee to see what arrangementi could be made