PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1475, 25 June 1912, Page 8

PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

.SPECIAL MEETING. Two matters occupied tho attention of the Petono Borough Council at a special meeting-held last evening. Those present were tho Jlayor (Jlt. J. W. M'Ewan), and Councillors Piptfr, Tmeman, Burridge, , Lodder, Cox, Broekelbank, Short, List and Wakeham. The first matter was a letter from Messrs. Seaton and Sladden, on behalf of Percy Bros., asking that they lie allowed to drain household waste into the eastern drainags channels, and all storm water down Moran's creek. In a report, the engineer stated that this proposal was the simplest way out of tho difficulty. There were, however, a few details which would have to be settled. Jlr. Percy, of course, would bear the cost of connection and laying tho drain, provided that the borough officials passed tho work. Councillor Broekelbank remarked that when sufficient houses were connected with the eastern drainage it might be necessary to cut Jlr. Percy off. Tho Jlayor stated that he had gone into tho matter thoroughly, and it was tho best proposal yet put before the council. The report .was adopted, and permission granted to carry out the work, providing that tho applicant bear tlio cost. The Hoiltli Department called attention to Oppenhsimer's work's at Petone" East, mentioning dtfestive drains, etc. Vho T)e. partment also suggested alterations, which included the installation of baths and .hot water for tlio use of the men, and a general cleansing of the premises. ■ On the motion of .the Jlayor it was resolved to will upon Messrs, Oppenheinwr and Co. to make the alterations suggested. Jlessrs. Fay and Co.'s application for permission to establish a certiin industry in the boro lgh was next,dealt with. Reporting o,n the question, tho engineer submitted—(l) That the tallow refining-'' room on the ground floor was not in accordance with Clause 10 of-tho Offensive Trades By-law. (2) That t.he painting space aiid_ soaking tanks, if placed as suggested in tho plan, would not comply witli Clause 3. The specifications showfil that existing concrete floors would bo overhauled, but the flocirs should be broken up and relaid, or o. surface of at least 2J inches of concrete finished on top with half an inch lavcr of cement. The drains, instead of spilling into dead water, should be carried out io the running stream. The de'-odorisers wrfe up ■to standard except, perhaps, that the tower was not quite high enough. The Mayor-suggested that the application should bo referred back to Jlessrs. D. A. Fay to reconstruct the application in aeeordanco with the by-law.

Councillor "If you are going to take the by-law to the letter, you might as well refuse this application' at once. I have had a lot of experience in these things. In every town in tho Dominion there is some sort of a boilingdown works, passed by tho Health Department."

Councillor Piper [remarked tlmt if any by-law was not reasonable it would not pass in a Court of law.

Councillor Wakeliam said that it was quite right to study and safeguard tho public, but the council should be fair, and-if the by-laws were rigidly enforced the application would be blocked at once. Ho believed in encouraging local industry.

Councillor List took exception to tho drainage. Everything else, he remarked, could be set right. Councillor Burridge could not see any difficulty about drains. It was tho bylaws that formed the difficulty.

Councillor Cox: "The question is: Will we, or will we not, grant this application?" ■

Councillor Short: "Pah." This council is known in Wellington and locally as the Petone Postponement Council. Wo cannot mako up our minds, and should adjourn for six weeks. This is not the first time we have been called hero on a fool's errand." After some further discussion. Councillor List moved:—"That the application be (referred back to Mcssts. Fay and Co." Councillor Piper: "I move as an amendment, that the application be granted subject to the plans a.nd specifications being in accordance with the by-law." The Mayor: "I cannot take that amendment, as it would be granting a conditional permit " Councillor Piper: "Then, by Jove, you granted a. conditional permit to a tramway syndicate last week " The Mayor (heatedly): "Now, look here, Councillor Pipcf: will you refrain? That is an entirely different matter." Tho motion was carried on tho voices, Councillor Piper being tho only dissentient.