BUILDING BREACHES

Chronicle (Levin), 8 September 1948, Page 4

BUILDING BREACHES

.Council To Acf Against Next Offender I Legal action will be taken by the Levin Borough Council against the next person reported as having erected a building in the borough without having first obtained a permit to db so. This decision was made 1 by the council at its fortnightly meeting on Monday night following the receipt of a letter from the Building Controller, Palmerston North, Mr. GD. Dixon. "■ The letter stated that it -had received the council's suggestion that consideration be giyen to having the flnes for building breaches increased in - view of two . cases which had been heard recently in the Levin Court, The suggestion had been pagsed on for consideration to a higher authority. "Although this would eertainly assist a§ a deterrent, one of the main factors which govern many of the breaches is local con- • troi, i ffnd throughout our district that where " local bodies maintain a strict policy in implementing their by-laws, applicants will mere readily fall in line regarding the Building' Control Regulations," stated the ' controller. "Apparently some- in Levin have been building without first obtaining a permit, and you will agree that to curb this tendency prompt action and court proceedjngs by your council are necessary. "From observations and interviews with somq of your citizens, I am led to believe that if such a procedure were adoptd it would be welcomed, especiaily by those lawabiding citizehs whom we all wish to encourage. I suggest that an aetive campaign • of this nafcure would possibiy be worthy of consideration and, fn eonjunction with your own helpful ^suggestion, would materially assist in curtailing the trouble." In answer to a question by the Mayor, Mr. H, B. Burdekin, during subsequent discussion of the letter, - the council's building inspector, Mr. H. T, Tilyard, said that at present there were nqj breaches to report. The Mayor added that persons who did not obtain a permit usually incurred two offences, one under the by-laws and t.he other under the building regulations, It would be better if a joint case was made against offenders by both the council and the department. - "I'm opppsed to doing the departme.nt's dirty work," said Cr, R. A. Frederikson. "It doesn't want to do it but it says to ;us in; effect, Tf you like td poke your nose in you can.' That's the spirit of the letter and I'm opposed to it." Mr, Burdekin: There is nothing to suggest that in the department's ' letter. It is only suggest^ ing that we take action under our by-laws. Cr. Frederikson: The Government is wanting more houses, but as soon as someone sidesteps it moves against them. Mr. Burdekin: We are trying to safeguard materials so that houses can be built. Following further discussion it was resolved that the council take legal action against the next ■ offenders, Cr. Frederikson asking that his vote against the inotion be recorded.