Inspector of Buildings’ Report.

Manawatu Herald, 11 February 1902, Page 3

Inspector of Buildings’ Report.

The fallowing report was read and adopted at the meeting of the Foxton Borough Council last night:—

To His Worship the Mayor and Borough Councillors.

Gentlemen,—l have completed my annual Inspection of the Borough, and have issued certificates for all houses except nine, in these nine cases notices have been served calling upon the owners to make certain alterations which I deem necessary for the due preservation of life in case of fire, • Included in the nine exceptions above referred to are four hotels, two lodging houses and three private dwelling?. r The greatest danger to life from fire lies undoubtedly with hotels and the lodging-houses, and it is, in my opinion, most essential that every possible precaution should be taken By the proprietors of the establishments to avert as far as possible any chance of fatality in case of fire. In a town like Foxton, where we have no water, supply, no fire brigade, nor any other organization to cope with fire, and no night watchmen in the hotels, one cannot but think with the gravest apprehension of what the result of a fire in the centre of the town would be; bearing these things in mind I have felt very keenly the responsibility attached to the appointment that 1 hold, and have endeavoured to the best of my ability to make such provision as would reduce the risk of life to a minimum.

In the inspection of hotels and lodging houses, I have bean associated with Constable Forster, who has to inspect on behalf of the Licensing Bench, and have thus secured a more efficient inspection, as we have been able to supplement and support each other in what was necessary to be done, and I have to thank Constable Forster for the valuable assistance be has given me in this duty. Yon will have seen by the correspondence read previously, what works has been' deemed to be necessary in the case of those who have not yet received their certificates, and I desire to say that the hotelkeepers and others have shown every desire to comply with the requirements, and thus make their houses as safe as possible. During my Inspection of the Borough I noticed one empty two-roomed cottage in Thynne-street, formerly occupied by a family named 'Knapp. I would recommend In this case that notico be sent to the owner requiring him to either make the place habitable or pull it dowo, as 1 believe iu its present state it is a danger to the neighbours. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, Alf Fraser, Inspector of Buildings.