CHIMNEY REPAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 July 1943, Page 2

CHIMNEY REPAIRS

OBJECTIONS TO PAYMENT LIST BEFORE BOROUGH COUNCIL LAST NIGHT. ENGINEER TO CARRY OUT INSPECTION. A list of property owners who had lodged objections to earthquake damaged chimney accounts was submitted at last night’s meeting of the Masterton Borough Council. The Borough Engineer (Mr C. R. Mabson) was instructed to inspect the chimneys and report back to the council. •‘The diehards,” observed the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan. “These people have been spoonfed long enough.” Councillor W. Kemp cited two cases to the council in which he said it appeared that the Earthquake Account Committee had made mistakes. The Town Clerk, Mr G. T. O'Hara Smith, said the committee set up to examine the disputed accounts had considered the applications in three classes —(a), those who should receive full relief, with the approval of the Government; (b) those whom the committee thought should pay a portion; (c) those who should not receive consideration as they were in a position to pay. Some people on Social Security, who had a free house and £5OO in the bank and received the full Social Security benefit were able to pay the accounts. The committee had made its decision with regard to the applicants’ liquid assets and not so much to any physical disability. Some people objected as accounts were sent to tenants instead of owners and many accounts had to be amended. Not all were “diehards.” There were plenty who had objections on definite grounds. Some said the accounts, reduced by 30 per cent, wei’e still too high. Others said the work was unsatisfactory while some objected on the good grounds that the re-erected chimneys had been condemned by the inspector. Quite a number had not paid their accounts although they had not objected.