THE BUILDING BY-LAWS.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13438, 8 June 1912, Page 4

THE BUILDING BY-LAWS.

CITY COUNCIL AND LICENSING1

COMMITTEE

AN HOTEL CASE

At the- meeting of tho City Councillast night, the City Engineer presented a special report, with which he submitted an■ application for a permit to repair" the Royal Hotel. As the application had been received only that morning he had not had time to inspect the build-

in connection with this matter tho reports of the inspector of licensed buildings and tho Health Department's inspector were- read as published in the local papers.

Mr Duncan, the owner of tho premises, forwarded reports by two local builders recommending certain repairs, and stating that tho building was otherwise sound.

The City Engineer said there wero apparently three authorities who recommended or ordered repairs without regard to tho city by-laws, the Licensing Committee, the) Health Department, and the Inspector of Police. Tho application for a permit did not cover tho repairs recommended by the builders.

Cr Harley said this case would bring them to a proper test of their by-laws, as it would cost some thousands, ob pounds to rebuild the house. Tho owner, had to repair or rebuild, or loso his license. If the Council would not allow him to repair ho would force the matter. They had decided,that repairs to wooden buildings must not exceed 25 >■ per cent of the value. He did not agree with that. As long as a building could be repaired they should allow it to be repaired. Ho could not see- what objection there could be, as long as reasonable requirements- as regards sanitation,,and protection from lire were complied, with.

The Mayor said the City Engineer had, only received the application that morning and had not been ablo to inspect tluv building. They .had nothing befero them until he had done so.

The matter then dropped. Recommendations of the Committee regarding the by-laws wore adopted, as reported elsewhere.

Later, on the motion of Cr Hampson, it was decided to consider the building by-laws at tho committee meeting on Friday next..