MUNICIPAL BUILDING LAWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14685, 19 November 1909, Page 3

MUNICIPAL BUILDING LAWS

FIRE BOARDS' PROTEST. (Pin United Pbess Association.) ~' WELLINGTON, November 18. At to-day's (.'onl'erenee of the Jriro Boards of J\ew Zealand a most important discussion on the building by-laws of tho boroughs and cities of the rJoiuinion ensued on it remit from the Masterton JSoard (moved by Mr R, Brown) that the Fire Boards Act be amended so as to make provision for regulating the construction of new buildings. Several speakers referred to the importance of this subject. • Mr F. G. Cray (Maori Hill) said that buildings in New Zealand were very faulty, and exceedingly liable to lire. In allowing buildings to be erected in tho way they are jllie law is merely permitting fires. The architect puts up the building with the beet appearance he can for the 'amount he has to spend, and pays no attention at all to the matter of firo prevention. , The Chairman (Mr A. L. Parsons, Christehurch) said that the worst part of the whole thing is that when a big fire has occurred the buildings aro put up again in exactly tho same style, and without any thought of fire prevention. Tho buildings put up in Christehurch since the recent great firo there, with one oxception, wero absolute fire traps. Mr Goldio thought it would be a mistako if (ii'o boaids wero given uowei to make building by-laws. There would be conflict with the local municipal bodies. ; This view was supported by other speakers. Mr Kent suggested that the firo boards approach the various municipal bodies and suggest by-laws to them. Mr Cray moved-" That the attention of the Minister be drawn to the urgent necessity which exists for improvement in municipal by-laws, with a view to prevention of the serious national waste by fire which has been going on in New Zealand." ; The motion was carried.