BOROUGH BYE-LAWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 117, 15 May 1903, Page 4

BOROUGH BYE-LAWS.

(BBICK WALL QUBBTION. BTB-LAWS TO BE RKCON3IDIRED. Ax the Borough Council on Wednesday evening a letter was read from Mr T. Oolaon asking for an explanation -' why the bye-law was enforced in his ease and not in the case of the National Bank. Or, Brooking stated that Mr Colson; joined with Mr Buchanan in a new building and the engineer held that this constituted two building?, whereas ;., the National Bank only extended its present building and therefore the outer wall only was brick. Or. Tisch contended that if the National Bank let the new building it ;' would- practically be a separate V holding. Or. Smith said that both wall* were on Mr Golson's property. The Mayor said that was correct. The bye-law was then read. The Mayor considered the bye-law was clear and rendered the two brick waits necessary on Mr Uolson's propetty. Or. Alexander argued that the whole question of that by-law required reconsideration and amendment so as to give more latitude than at present. The bed rock idea of the bye-law was, be considered, to prevent fire, and, therefore, it was advisable to make it . reasonable, j Or. Collis considered that the bjelaw was found to be oppressive on \ % owners of small frontages, he quite! •greed with Or. Alexander and advo- .. emted an amendment of the regulation | to that all buildings could be considered "'_ on their merits. I Or. Wood referred to the casaof Mrs Douglas' building in Devon-street Where, if brick walls were run straightop through the two floors, they would destroy the value of the upper rooms. The Engineer said the additions to > -the Coffee Palace was another case in ; -point. '\ The Mayor agreed that tbe bye-law "~ should be more elastic, especially in 1- relation to upper floors of buildings. r. ' He considered brick walls at periodical distances were a great benefit, but the \ present bye-law was too strict. [;• Or. Alexander was moving a resolu- ; tion dealing with the case when Or J ~ f Brooking suggested referring the' f. Blatter to the Bye-law Committee. ! ■i Or" Wood advocated leaving the ■utter over as he understood the \ r Builders' Association were about to ?- : aoggtst alterations and it would be «" better to await their suggestions. I ; Or. Alexander was in favour cf alter-, 'i lag the bye-law and then the builders I ooold see whether the amendment, raited them. j y Or. Brooking moved that the matter be deferred until the committees were appointed and that it be referred to j the Bye-laws Committee. r ' Or. Gonnett, in seconding the motion, nrged deferring the matter so that the whole of the building bye-laws could be considered.—Carried, MPBBIAL HOTEL OASB. TO BB TE3TED. £ Mr Samuel wrote, relative to the k Imperial Hotel case, asking the Coun- *'* al to appoint another solicitor as he js was going to Auckland and Messrs r Govett and Quil'iam were acting for f- Mr Baynes. He gave full particulars \ of what had taken place in the matter. ». Mr Samuel's opinion was also read to the effect that there had been two disi tiflct breaches of the bye-laws and | advising that due notice should be ■ given to the owner. *■■ Or. Tisch said that three months' f back notice bad been given to the r owner, but it appeared nothing had j?" been done. Meanwhile other psople ** had been compelled to comply with the ( . bye-laws. He thought it was disgraca- = foL } Or. Edmunds considered either ;' another solicitor should be appointed C- • or the matter dropped. N He moved that I Mr Boy be appointed the Council's % solicitor to act in the matter. Seconded by Or. Collis. I Or. Smith considered that unless Mr Samuel had good reasons to think he had not a good case he would have gone on with the matter. Or. Wood moved that the matter be dropped. Seconded by Or. Smith. Ore. Collis and Gonnett protested ■gainst not proceeding. The amendment was lost. Or. Alexander moved that Mr Barton be appointed. Seconded by Or. Wood and lost. The motion to appoint Mr Boy was then carried. I DISOUB3ION ON AHOTHBB OASB. A. letter was read from 0. 0. Ward asking for permit to certain repairing works on his premises. Or. Brooking moved that the Coun- . oil accede to the request. Or. Alexander said the situation of matters was absurd. The late chairman of Works Committee admitted that the proposed consent was a breach of the bye-laws and yet he moved to give the permission. He contended the bye-laws were rotten. The Mayor painted out that this was another cise which showed the necessity of allowing elasticity in construing ' the by-laws. Or. Brooking withdrew his motion stating that if the Council was in com - saittee he would like to say a good deal is the matter. After further discussion the matter " was referred to the Bje-laws Committee,