DEPUTATION

Western Star, 20 April 1920, Page 2

DEPUTATION

TO WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL

A deputation consisting of Messrs Thomson, Lennie and Drew, waited on the Wallace County Council in the matter of the by-laws for The Rocks township at the monthly meeting on F riday. Mr Thomson, who- introduced the deputation, said that before laying their requests before the Council be would like to express the appreciation ■of the Association to the Council for what they had done for The Rocks township. The Rocks Association objected to some of the proposed bylaws, ms they were considered too stringent. This little township had been singled out of all the towns in the County, as there were no such by-laws in, any other town. If the owner of a crib wished to add a room, or any .addition to his building while he was down on holiday at The Rocks, under the by-laws there would be so much time wasted in getting permission that he would probably have to postpone the work for another year. There was also a large amount oil expense in getting plans made for such alterations. In the matter of drains it seemed to he an expensive and complicated'! plan for one to go to (he trouble and expense of getting an engineer to make plans of drains which were required by the by-laws. The Association asked that the county engineer he given the power to authorise these works on application. The Association also asked that the fee be reduced from 10/- to 5/-. They would ask that size of sections required he reduced fromi 25 to. 20 poles, and the frontage of sections be reduced from 50ft to 40ft. There was unknown to the speaker any place in the world where these restrictions were enforced. They would further suggest that the section relating to the bare space nob built on be cancelled and that no building be placed within four feet df the boundary unless it- is a brick wall. They’ presumed that the by-laws would not be made retrospective, as this would mean hardship, on the part of those whose buildings did not at present comply with the by-laws. The Chairman informed the speaker that the by-laws would not be retrospective.

Mr £ennie, the second member of the deputation, said it seemed to hinn that it was desiral© to make by-laws for The Rocks township, but the ones proposed by the Council were too severe. .They were too thorough to suit a. small township. The places at The Rocks were only inhabited tfor a few mouths in the summer, and the winds that blew all winter would amply clear away any insanitary matter which may collect in thosa two or three mouths. He suggested that the point' in regard to' open space be deleted. The Rocks Was the first town-

ship where these by-laws were being tried, and they should not he so stringent for a start. The beach wa« unsurpassed in New Zealand for safety and| it was one of the most pleasant. Therefore, if the sanitary system wa« installed it would be a calamity, as the excreta would be put out on the beach, which is the chielf attraction. _ of the town. Mr Drew, third speaker, said that The Rocks Association were doing the best possible for the town, their interests being, in that- direction. He would ask that the Council give the requests of the previous speakers their favourable consideration. The Chairman, in reply, said that the by4aws had been framed with the idlea of protecting the Association. It seemed to him that it was not advisable to put eight buildings on-an aero of laud. The by-laws had been approved by the Health Department, and if the .Council were to alter them and an epidemic occurred the Council would be blamed. Or. Rodlger thought that the bylaws would not be so strictly enforced as to stop a man from building a motor garage. He considered ■ that the drainage by-laws would protect The Rocks Association. Mr Baker, County Engineer, said that The Rocks had not been singled out, as these by-laws had been intended for all towns in the county, but it had been found impossible in the case . of the older towns' to carry them out. Any carpenter could prepare all plans of buildings hud additions that would be required by the Council. In the matter of spaces and frontages no comparison could be drawn with larger towns where there was -no grass to hold water. It would be the duty of the Council to see that the sewers.did not pollute the beach, as it was 'their intention to protect the beach, which those by-laws would do. - The idea was to stop people causing a nuisance, 'such as depositing rubbish, etc., on the beach. Mr Thomson here withdrew all requests, with the exception of those pertaining to the area, and frontage - of sections. * The deputaimi then withdrew, and, after consideration of the matter, the Council decided to adopt the by-laws.