BUILDING BY-LAWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1916, Page 4

BUILDING BY-LAWS.

(To the Editor.) i | Sir,—From the report of Monday** Borough Council meeting, I see an effort i| being made to induoe the, Council to suspend its new by-law relating to theatres, in order that other than a fireproof building, to seat about 900 people, may bo proceeded with. The by-law is clear that if a theatre ig required to seat mora than (300, it must be ereoted in . nrc-nroo!" material; and that a request to allow the by-law to be waived should be made immediately after the late disastrous theatre fire, betokens on the part of those making the application a lamentable want of. appreciation of the wisdom of the by-law, of ihe lessons taught by the fire, and of the public's right to be secure from the danger of Are in places of public assemblage. The only thing wrong with our building bylaws is that they were, adopted many years too late, fafut having" at lea it got regulations that will* ensure all future structures within a prescribed area being substantial and flre-resistin'g, it is to be hoped there will be.noi deviating by the council from a by-law that has everything to commend, It tdj those having the welfare of the town and public safety at heart., If, particularly for a theatre, the council does not insist on the maximum of security, how can it from the moment of creating thO' precedent, deny similar privileges, on re. .quest, to every person contemplating building within the brick are&T Without dcubt the business section of the town, at least the greater part of it, will be rebuilt within tho next few years, but it may be on "jerry" liites unless the council, from the outset, has the courage to stand by the by-laws, pari ticularly those governing public safety#' —I am, etc,, " FIREPROOft 1