BRICK AREA BUILDING

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1929, Page 10

BRICK AREA BUILDING

PLUNKET SOCIETY APPLICATION.

DECISION OF ELTHAM BOROUGH.

A lengthy discussion took place at a meeting of the Elthani Borough Council on Friday night on a clause of the finance committee’s report adopted at the last meeting of the council that an application from the Plunket Society for permission to erect a Konka board building in the “brick” area be declined. Cr. Pepperell had given notice of motion that the clause be rescinded and the matter dealt with de novo.

On tho motion being put to the council it was carried and the clause rescinded.

In moving that the clause be rescinded Cr. Pepperell said he thought it had slipped through inadvertently and that tlie council had not fully ‘discussed the ultimate issue.

The proposed new building was a detached one, said Cr. Thomas in support. There was no other building within 20 or 30 feet on either side. Konka board was recognised, in any case, as fireproof by insurance companies. “The Plunket Society is doing great work,” he said, “and deserves every encouragement. 1 do not want to see a building stopped when there is no possible danger of a fire breaking out and spreading from one building to another.”

Cr. Nairn: Is there no likelihood of any building being built on the adjacent sections ? Cr. Thomas: The vacant sections belong to the-Plunket Society. “I have every sympathy, with the Plunket Society,” said Cr. Lewis, “but if we grant permission to build in other than brick or concrete in the brick area we are creating a precedent. We should be quite impartial in a matter like this and insist on the building being built according to our by-laws. Even for the Plunket Society it would be an improper thing to waive a by-law.” The Mayor (Mr. I. J. Bridger): At the previous meeting the council fully considered the question. On that occasion every councillor had an opportunity of discussing it. I have a recollection that Cr. Thomas once moved in committee that the by-laws should be rigidly adhered to and he is now supporting a motion’that we should break a by-law. I cannot quite understand his attitude. We have had many applications to build in other than brick or concrete in the brick area, and we have turned them down. If we give the Plunket Society permission to build in Konka board how can we refuse others? The material, I admit, is fire resisting from the outside, but that is not the case inside. We cannot play fast and loose with our bylaws in this way. In any case it would not prevent tlie building being erected but merely delay it.

“If we grant the application,” said Cr. Kemp, “we are creating a precedent.” Cr. Coward said he was in sympathy with the motion and if people were willing to build in the town the council should not try tp retard such matters. He did not think there was any possibility of buildings being erected on the vacant sections in the future.

In reply Cr. Pepperell mentioned various premises built in the brick area of other than brick or concrete. Konka board was treated by the Underwriters’ Association as fire-proof and lie did not see any reason why the building should not be erected. If. the society had to build in brick or concrete it would be years before it could build. The society was doing wonderful work, and he thought in this case the council could relax a little and let the permit go through. Cr. Thomas: Mr. Mayor, you said you could not understand my attitude when I supported tho motion.

Tho Mayor: The discussion is finished. I cannot allow you to speak. Cr. Thomas (banging his fist on the table): I take it we are here to discuss anything in connection with the business of the council.

The Mayor (ringing the bell): I cannot allow you to speak. The discussion is closed.

On the motion being put to the meeting Crs. Nairn, Pepperell, Thomas, Coward and O’Hagan voted for and tho Mayor and Crs. Kemp, Rowe and Lewis against it. KING’S THEATRE, STRATFORD. “RILEY’ THE COP.” John Ford’s Fox Films production, “Riley the Cop,” at the King’s theatre to-night only, is not only one of the best comedy-dramas shown here in recent mouths, but it brings Farrell Macdonald before his public in his first starring role. In the cast with Macdonald is the inimitable Louise Fazenda. Nancy Drexel and David Rollins have the leading romantic roles. Macdonald, rated the best-natured “cop” in New York, seldom makes a “pinch.” He is known as the station-house philosopher. He quells minor difficulties with a wave of his hand and a bland smile. When he is sent abroad to bring back a prisoner, however, Macdonald, as Riley, breaks his pledge of ten years. He gets hilariously “loaded” when he meets the fair Lena, otherwise Miss Fazenda, in a Munich beer garden. It is then that young Rollins, the prisoner, finds his own job cut out for him. He must escort the “copper” back to America! From this unique situation arises some of the most engaging comedy seen here in years.