INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 291, 10 December 1901, Page 2

INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS.

At last night's meeting of the Borough Council the Inspector of Buildings reported that he had inspected a number of I'll lings in the borough, in some of which fire-escapes were necessary. D )lay ha-1 occurred in complying with his demands in several instances, but hi had now sent fkal no Kes to offunde'fi. Iho hotel* were well provided with escapes, except one—the Imperial, and he drew attention to the fact that the top storey would" be a veritable death trap in the event of a fire. Tbe fact that no action had been tak»n to compel the erection of firoescapes in this case was causing difficulty in compelling others to dc so. He asked that, as his previous recommendation action be taken against Mr fiaynes had not bean given effect to he should b3 relieved of responsibility for any accident that may hippan.

The Fire Prevention Committee submitted the following recommendations: That the Inspector of Buildings be instructed to make an immediate inspection of all buildings in the borough, and issue bis certificate without fee, boarding houses to be inspected first; tbat Mr Jones' plans for the Theatre Royal be passed provided the ticket box is put Dack level with the wall, and on condition that the sanitary arrangements are approved by the District Health Officer ; that a copy of the report of the Inspector of Buildings be forw»H"d to the chairman of the Licensn g Gnumittee with an intimation that thBorough Solicitor advises the Council tbat the sole responsibility for providing means of escape from hotels rests with the L'censiog Committee, consisting as it do s of the Stipendiary Magistrate, by whom any ins ituti-d by the Cmuoil must be decided

Cr. Cow spoke on the advice of tfae solicitor to tho committee.

Cr. Carter also explained thit the solicitor hid advised that the Council was not respiusible for anything that might happin to licensed buildings. He al-o spoke in reference to the Theatre Boyal. The Mayor could not agree to all the committee's proposals, particularly that for the inspection of buildings free of cost. The Act provided that fees could be charged. Then as to the inspection of licensed houses, he thought the Council should see what followed the Wellington Council'* decision to enforce provision of fire escapes, etc. At present he thought the Council was free from responsibility. A» to the Tbeitre Royal, hn considered the outer main entrance should be wider. In this case the Council was responsible, and shou'd protect the public. Cr. Connett thought the outer door of the Tbeitre should be the width ot the passage.

Crs. Stobr and Tisoh considered the Theatre pl*ns should be adopted as they are. (Jr. Tiscb, speaking on the inspection of building*, said there seemed no chanoe of the Dye laws being passed as yet.

An Inspec'or was appointed in July, and the committee thought he should go on with his work. Cr Ooilis said the Mayor was in error in stating that the committee's recommendations wou'd increase the Councils liabilities. He asked what the Mayor meant when he eaid that the 0. until " was being humbugged ?" If the C luncil was being treated so, it was time the "humbugging" was stopped. The Mayor said he would withdraw the word. What he meant was that that ttfb Council could not act until the bye-laws were passed. Or Stohr slid it app ared that tho solicitor sa : d one thing, And the Aub another. By whom was the Council | to be guided ? j A councillor: By the Act. ' Or Oonnett thought if the Onuncil could not be guided by the solicitor, it ] should appoint a new solicitor. | ■ The Mayor said he had been in- ' formed that the solicitor had stated that the Council could not make a' charge for inspection, while the Act distinctly stated { it co jld. Referring to tha main entrance at the theatre, the Mayor moved thit I the door be made nine feet wide, and • this was defeated, on division, by six to j three.

The reports were then adopted. The Inspector naked what position he was in as to inspection of ooA-storied building-i. The Mayor thought the Fire Prevention Couim'ttee should obttia the solicitor's opiui >n on the matter, and instruct the inspector accordingly.