BACHELOR FLATS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 323, 23 January 1930, Page 5

BACHELOR FLATS.

THE LEGAL POSITION. Health Department Evasive. Some time ago the Putaruru Town Board referred the question of the occupation of certain huts belonging to Mr. Scholz, and the erection of what Mr. J. C. Tomalin termed “ bachelor flats,” to the Health Department for investigation. The latter body replied that they had no jurisdiction in the matter, and at the December meeting of the Town Board it was decided to obtain legal opinion as to the Department’s powers. This was before the board at its last meeting in the shape of a letter from Messrs. Hampson, Bell and Lochhead, and it was to the effect that unless the local body was paying a share towards the Health Department’s official’s salary it had no jurisdiction. Mr. Tomalin opened the subsequent discussion by stating that the letter evaded the question. It did not give the board the information sought. Mr. Barr Brown wanted to know what the board’s objections were to people living in the premises mentioned. The chairman said that a previous inspector ruled that no person had a right to live in such premises. As regards the huts owned by Mr. Scholz the latter had not complied with the permit given him. Mr. Barr Brown ' contended that Mr. Scholz had acted reasonably in allowing the men to live in the huts.

Mr. Tomalin held that if the Health Inspector had been functioning for the board the premises would not be allowed to be used. A former official had stated that they were making slums in Princes street. After a little desultory discussion the matter dropped without any further action being taken.