BUILDING DELAYED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 27, 11 March 1942, Page 5

BUILDING DELAYED

DEFENCE PROGRAMME FIRST

PERPETUATING AN EYESORE

Those who have wondered just how long the pile of blackened and twisted framing and timbers where once was situated the Regent Milk Bar and confectionery establishment, was going to' be allowed l to remain an eyesore in the main street in Whakatane, will be interested to learn that the fly in the ointment Is the Building Controller, Wellington, who claims that before any private rebuilding scheme can be embarked upon, the defence and civic defence programme of the Dominion must be completed. By way of a little encouragement, this ofofficer suggests that a further application should be made in approximately nine months time. The information came before the Borough Council last Monday in reply to a requisition from that body as to what steps were being taken to rebuild. The Mayor explained that the intention was to build two single storey shops, the more ambitious scheme to make the building two-storied having been dropped. "This is a bit unreasonable," ejaculated Cr Sullivan. "The replacement is not an entirely new building. The walls are there and it is merely a matter of roofing, platoglass and timber." The Mayor said that he had instructed the Town Clerk to write supporting the application of Mr Kcrridge, and the letter had been forwarded back for the information of the Council. Cr Shapley: "It is a replacement building after a fire. There* might be a lot of fire,si in the town and what then,'if we are not allowed to rebuild them?" The Mayor: "I don't think Mr Kcrridge is the man to sit down under it. Already he is paying out heavily in rates and rent and there is no return." Cr Good: "It certainly is an eyesore as it is now. Its a pity it couldn't be boarded off." The matter was then dropped.