BUILDING PERMIT.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4218, 21 January 1921, Page 2

BUILDING PERMIT.

LOCAL SAWMILL.

DISPUTE WITH COUNCIL

The Paeroa Cash Sawmills and the Borough Council building inspector have been at variance lately in respect to a buildingpermit and the conditions attaching- thereto . The proprietor of the mill (Mr R. Phillip) wrote as follows in a letter repeived by the Borough Council last nigKt:

"Re the office and tool-shed just erected on Station Road being part of-a sawmill plant I was expecting to run shortly, I have instructions from your inspector rto pull it down again, as it has some white, pine in it. I will comply with your wishes as early as possible, and will have the building advertised for sale and removal in to-morrow's "Gazette." At the same time, I would ask your council for a refund of 10s for the bogus permit you supplied me with some months ago to erect a building with pine included, this buildingbeing part of the mill. It will pay men to pull up now and erect elsewhere to save expense, as labour for buildings is too expensive to pull the structures down again within a few weeks' time."

The clerk, at the instance of the Council, read the original application for the permit, wherein it was stated that ipne would not. be used in the building referred to. Mr Phillip had not been ordered to pull the building down. Cr. W. Marshall moved and Cr. W. H. Taylor, seconded a motion that Mr Phillip be informed that the Council's by-laws must be complied with ; that the pine was allowed in part of the mill only, as per the original agreement.

Cr. E. Edwards said Mr Phillip had 900 acres of millable timbei handy to Paeroa, but as-his lease was only temporary it would not pay Mr Phillip to erect in rimu. It would be in the interests of the town to retain a new industry which was going to employ men and be of value to the town. The timber was put up by auction and farmers were able** to purchase it sometimes below market value. The Council had power to decide each such -case on its merits. Cr. Marshall thought the compliance with the Council's bylaws would make very little difference to the mill-owner, as it would not amount to much. Cr. Edwards suggetsed that Mr Phillip should be asked to make another application. The Mayor said Mr Phillip had received Tevery consideration with his original application, and j if he desired, lie could make a fresh application. But it must be understood that the Council's by-laws could not be dverridden. The motion was. carried, the clerk to inform Mr Phillip that he was at liberty to make ;i' fresh application. j