CONDEMNED DWELLINGS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3431, 24 January 1912, Page 2

CONDEMNED DWELLINGS.

ARE THE COUNCIL LIABLE FOR COMPENSATION?

The District Health Officer (Dr Chessoni)'" recently visited Gisborne and. condemned a number of dwellings which, in his 'opinion, were unfit for habitation. In consequence the Council wer c last night faced with the question as to whether they were liable for compensation for buildings which were ordered t$ ’be pulled down, as the result of the Health Officer’s report. Mr W. C. Nisbott wrote stating that ho had received a letter during December informing him that he had to pull down two houses situated on section 6G Childers road and Peel street. Ho yas quite prepared to comply with the Council’s request, but wanted the Council to inform him what compensation' they were prepared, to pay as lie had several experts to prove that both could be made fit for habitation.

Ct, Smith said he inspected one of the houses which was condemned by the Public Health Officer. The building was in. a bad state of repair, but the timber was perfectly sound. The house could be made habitable for an exjumditure of about £2O. He told Mr Nisbett that the Health Officer had condemned the building, and in a sense it was out of their hands. Or. Webb substantiated Or. Smith’s statement.

The Mayor said that he thought their own inspector condemned the building in the first place, and be asked that the .Health Officer’s attention _ should bo drawn, to it on, his next visit to Gisborne, and the Health Officer also condemned it.

Cr. Bright, after quoting tho Act-, said that if the Health Officer had made an. order in accordance with the Act then the Conucil should not attempt to review it. It would be a iriost dangerous precedent. Cl-. Darton pointed’ out that the Health Officer only advised the Council to have the house pulled down. He moved tliat tho Health Officer be written to stating tliat the owner was prepared to make the building habitable if he would grant liim. permission. Cr. Webb seconded the motion.

The Mayor pointed out that tho Public Health Officer had forwarded a condemnation certificate.

Cr. Smith said tliat ho was sure the state of tho house was due to faulty “spouting.” Tills laid allowed \tlio water to overflow and rot the timber. Cr. Bright said tliat the Government according to the Act would liavo to pay compensation. He thought that the Health Officer would; not bother with the Council if they continued to review his actions. He (the Inspector) had no objection to tho owner being given another chance. The motion was earned.