BRICK, OR NO BRICK.”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4426, 12 June 1922, Page 2

BRICK, OR NO BRICK.”

A HEATED DEBATE. A “SPAR” BETWEEN MAYOR AND DEPUTY-MAYOR. At the meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council on Thursday last the Mayor asked the Council for a definite decision on the matter of the brick area. If the buildings that were putup under the recent policy measures of. the Council were suitable, then they could do away with the brick area: if otherwise, put an end to the policy measure qf the Council. He suggested having a resolution,.which, boiled down, meant “Brick or No Brick.” To .test the matter, he moved that the erection of buildings under the policy measure of the Council be discontinued forthwith, and the brick area by-laws complied witn. Cr. Marshall seconded the motion. Cr. Edwards thought that the Mayor was putting the question in an unfair way. The question was not “what is the most desirable?” but “what is the most suitable on adaptable ?” He did not wish to object altogether. He thought that if the Council made it “with front arid sides brick, but not the back,” it would be in the interest of the town. Cr. Marshall said that the by-law now made it easy, and where hardshfip was shown ,the Council, could deal with, it under the present bylaws, Cr. Leach said that he was in favour of the by-law when it was mad?, and he could riot follow Cr. Edwards with a partly brick building. Hs failed to see the object cf the brick area by-law ifl it was not carried out. Cr. Edwards said that if the optimists were correct in their assumptions he thought that the buildings that would go up in the next year or two would be quite inadequate in a few years’ time, and for that reason ae did not wish to penalise anybody or the town. Cr. Flatt rose to a point of order. The resolution was simply to clear the way, “brick or no brick,” ani there was no reason to discuss the merits of brick or otherwise. Cr. Edwards: I think, Your. Worship. that this resolution requires a notice of motion.

His Worship: If that is so, I will deal with the matter in another way. The Council proposes meeting next week to consolidate the by-laws, and I think I have made myself perfectly clean. I wanted to test the position so that the Council could get right to work on Thursday next. Cr. Vuglar thought that the Mayo? was springing a surprise on to the Council, and he would like to go into the matter, and think over it. Cr. Marshall said that the brick area by-laws. as amended, made it as easy as it could be if a brick building was wanted at all. The inclusion of the hardship clause gave the Council power to consider each application on its merits. Cr. Edwards said he still considered there should be a notice of) motion. It seemed to him that the Coupcil knew of an application that was to come, before the Council, and were in a hurry to block it.—Cries of "No/’ His Worship: Cr. Edwards, I call you to order. Your remarks are distinctly uncalled for. I will withdraw the motion and give notice that I will declare the policy building measure of . the Council illegal after seven days from now. The matter is ended, gentlemen. 2r. .Edwards J I apologise, Your Worship. I did not wish my words to convey the meaning you took from them. I really wanted time to see an application through. His Worship: Then you will have exactly one week, and if the plans and specifications are all in order and passed by the Building Committee I will give it every consideration.