Building By-Laws.

Manawatu Herald, 26 May 1903, Page 2

Building By-Laws.

The decision arrived at by the Stipendiary Magistrate in the case of Borough against Perreau, that the by-laws did not refer to temporary erections, is to our mind most unfortunate, as more supervision is needed on temporary than on permanent buildings. In temporary erections there is probable hasty and flimsy work, sufficient to last, in the opinion of the builder, just the length of time needed, but in permanent work more care and attention is bound to be given to it by the owner. The Magistrate may be correct, and if he is, the sooner the By-law is corrected the better. It will be remembered that Perreau erected a canvass and calico lean-to over his right-of-way to his bakehouse to provide a supper room at Easter. It is easily seen how such a flimsy structure adjoining an old wooden building might have created a serious fire in the centre of the town, an upset of an oil lamp would have easily created a blaze impossible to stop. An action for temporary gain is an act of gross selfishness, risking the total destruction of a neighbour’s property. We call attention of the Council particularly to this decision, as too much caution in permitting flimsy buildings lighted by kerosene to be erected adjoining other buildings cannot be shown, and the Council must see that they secure the power by law to have their opinions obeyed.