AN “EYESORE”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20892, 23 November 1937, Page 6

AN “EYESORE”

COTTAGE ABOVE BAY REMOVAL WANTED An “eyesore" and a “disgrace” were epithets used to describe a cottage situated on the corner of LeCren’s Terrace and Stafford Street, opposite the Grand Hotel, last night when the Timaru Borough Council discussed the advisability of demolishing the building. The sanitary inspector .Mr A. W. B. Watkinson) reported that the North End Ratepayers’ Association had asked for the removal of two cottages on Railway land, which they stated were unoccupied and had outlived their usefulness. Mr Watkinson said the premises opposite the Grand Hotel were not unoccupied as was stated, and upon inspection he found that the premises were in a fairly good state of repair. He was of opinion that the Council would have no grounds for asking for removal.

The other cottages, situated at the rear of Maori Park tennis courts, were unoccupied and, although situated on Railway land, the buildings were owned by Mr D. McMasters. The Railway Department stated that they were unaware of the land having a building on it, and had no records whatever. He had also communicated with the owner, asking what the position was regarding the premises, but so far had had no reply. The premises were in an old and dilapidated condition. There was no drainage attached, and the water supply was cut off when McMasters vacated the place. “I am of opinion that these premises warrant demolition, but suggest that action be deferred until I have received some idea what attitude the Railway De ■ partment Intend to take,” said Mr Watkinson.

Proposal Criticised Cr. M. H. Richards said it would be a pity to put people out on the streets and demolish the house, especially at a time when houses were very scarce. “It is an eyesore to haw. the most important spot in the town taken up with an old building like that,” said Cr. J. R. Hart. “It was built for the overseer who was making the cutting 64 years ago. It is a disgrace to tho town. It was never intended that that building was to stay there for about 70 years. It was probably only meant to house the overseer during the making of the cutting. If we leave that there we will put up with anything. We will be the laughing stock of the town if we leave that there and ask other people to comply with the Town Planning Act,” he said.

“We have got houses in Timaru 70 and 80 years old and yet yoi are going to condemn this one which is only 60 years old. You may as well condemn the whole of Timaru," said Cr. Richards. “Why, we have a house out on Allen’s property which is 80 years old.” “It is no ornament,” sal.' Cr. Hall. “It might be all right down In Browne Street, but we don’t want it above the Bay.” (Laughter).

Other councillors pointed out that the demolition was required not from a legal but from an aesthetic point of view.

On the motion of Crs. Hart and Tweedy it was decided to ask the Railway Department whether it would bi possible to remove the building which was an eyesore In an otherwise beautiful spot.