A BRICK AREA.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 384, 8 April 1902, Page 2

A BRICK AREA.

On several occasions (luring the last eighteen months we have drawn the attention of the Borough Council to the necessity of establishing a brick area in Die town but so far no action has been taken by that body. That the Council’s regulations badiy require amending is evidenced by tlie class of buildings at present being erected in the main street, and members cannot shut their eyes to the fact. Take for instance the Argyll building at the corner of G ladstone road and Lowe street. In the event of an outbreak of fire in the new Argyll Hotel, thatbuilding would prove a veritable mantrap, and it is a matter of surprise and wonder to many residents how the Council’s Inspector allowed such a building to be passed. One would have expected to have seen a few brick walls here and there to stay the progress of a fire in the event of one occurring, but it would appear that no provision has been made for these. When one considers with what rapidity a fire swept through a brick building like the Grand Hotel in Auckland, what must be the result should a fire occur in a Gisborne Hotel ? The Argyll Hotel on three sides is surrounded by wooden buildings and should a fire get a fair hold what chances would there be of saving the block or even any of the whole side of that street ? We .venture .to say; .that a

lire occurring in the vicinity of the Masonic or Argyll hotels with the Fire Brigade’s present means of coping with it would practically mean that half the town would be destroyed. The Council should not allow -any further delay to take place in the matter of establishing a brick area. The difficulty could easily be got over by a by-Jay being passed making it compulsory that owners of properties 'in Gladstone road from the Post Office to the belfry, and in the intersecting streets for the distance of half a chain or a chain, should, when rebuilding or making additions to their premises build in brick. In recent years we have been singularly free in the matter of a serious conflagration in the town, but one cannot tell how long we will be granted immunity in this respect. Gisborne is fast growing into a town of importance, and councillors must realise that something must be done in the direction we indicate. There is not a place in New Zealand of the size of this town where a wooden building of the description of the Argyll Hotel would be allowed to be erected by the local authorities. The Licensing Committee are blocked in taking action on account of the Counc.l’s by-laws, and the sooner the latter are amended the better it will be for 'all concerned. It is too lace for the Council to do anything in regard to the buildings in course of erection, but' they can consider the question of establishing a brick area. By adopting our suggestion they will be acting in the best interests of the town, the advancement of which they are so anxious to forward. Whilst on this subject we might be allowed to congratulate Messrs DeLautour and Friar on the fine business premises they have erected, the structures- being a credit and ornament to the town. Those gentlemen have shown judgment and foresight in the matter of the buildings that they have erected, and we should like to see their example followed by the owners of property in the main street.