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CIVC INQUIRY.
COUNCIL ACTIVITIES.
TOWN CLERK'S REVIEW.
DENIAL BY CHAIRMAN.
A statement defending the administration of the Perth City
Council, publication of which had been deferred, was read to the
honorary Royal Commission on civic affairs yesterday by the Town
Clerk (Mr. W. E. Bold).
A denial of the accuracy of part of the contents of Mr. Bold's
statement was made by the chairman of the commission (Mr. H. S.
Raphael, M.L.A.).
The hearing of evidence will probably conclude tomorrow. Among
matters raised yesterday were the ventilation of London Court and
the accommodation for servants at Forrest House, St. George's
terrace.
A long statement reviewing the ad-
ministration of the Perth City Council
in relation to matters raised during the
inquiry was read by the Town Clerk (Mr.
W. E. Bold) to the honorary Royal Com-
mission on Perth civic affairs yesterday.
The statement had been handed to the
commission at a previous sitting, but
publication was deferred until members
of the commission had perused it.
There was discussion yesterday about
the relevancy of the section of Mr. Bold's
statement replying to the Parliamentary
speech of Mr. H. S. Raphael, M.L.A. call-
ing for an inquiry. Members of the
commission held that the speech did not
come within the terms of reference of
the inquiry.
Evidence was also submitted to the
commission about the ventilation of Lon-
don Court and conditions in servants'
quarters in Forrest House, St. George's
terrace.
The commission consists of Messrs. H.
S. Raphael (chairman), T. J. Hughes,
Ross McDonald, J. T. Tonkin and Miss
May Holman, M's.L.A.
The city building inspector (Mr. C. L.
Thorpe) was the first witness yesterday.
He was informed by the chairman that
the owner of Chelsea Flats (Mr. J. J.
Skinner) denied the accuracy of a state-
ment about plans for Chelsea made by
witness at a previous sitting.
Witness said that he had seen the plans
(produced) previously. On inquiry wit-
ness found that the plans referred to
Button Flats and not Chelsea Flats in St.
George's-terrace.
"A Misunderstanding."
Mr. McDonald: I think we should say
that there has been a misunderstanding
on Mr. Thorpe's part and that Mr. Skin-
ner is absolved from any suggestion of
inaccuracy in his evidence as to the first
plans of Chelsea.
The Town Clerk (Mr. Bold) in reading
his statement, referred to the housing
question. "The council," he said, "in
company with authorities in other cities,
recognises that one of the most vital fea-
tures of civic administratioan is the proper
housing of the people. Housing com-
missions have been appointed in both
Sydney and Melbourne during the past
two years, and have investigated the posi-
tion prevailing in those two centres. The
problem there is enormous. In Sydney it
is estimated that to deal adequately with
the situation would involve the expendi-
ture of £30,000,000. The problem, com-
paratively, is a very small one in this
city. There are no extensive areas of
sub-grade property, as may be found in
the Eastern States.
"The question of housing the poorer
section of the community is largely an
economic one, as in most cases the
family income of the people who live in
these sub-grade houses is not sufficient
to pay an economic rent for the higher
grade accommodation. Endeavours should
be made to provide proper accommoda-
tion for these people before materially
reducing housing accommodation: other-
wise the trouble may be aggravated. It
was for this reason that the Government
was approached two years ago to under
take this work of providing housing ac-
commodation to meet this demand but,
unfortunately, it did not respond.
"In any scheme adopted for providing
accommodation for the poorer section of
the community one would wish to advo-
cate the provision of one cottage for each
family in preference to the erection of
tenement buildings. As regards the loca-
tion of such cottages, one suggests that
attention be directed to the land pur-
chased by the Railway Department many
years ago, between Kensington-street and
the railway line, or the area between
Jewell-street and the power station. It
is understood that the Railway Depart-
ment's scheme for which this land was
purchased has been abandoned, and pos-
sibly one or both of the areas would be
available. These areas have the advant-
age of being easily accessible to the
centre of the city. If, however, a central
site cannot be provided, it would pre-
sumably be necessary to select a site in
the suburbs, but in that case it would be
absolutely necessary for the Government
to provide cheap tram fares for the new
tenants; otherwise, the cost of transport
would tend partly to defeat the purpose
of the scheme. The point is, therefore,
again stressed that Government aid is
necessary to provide suitable accommo-
dation at a rent which is within the
means of the dispossessed.
Cleaning Up the City.
"I was asked," proceeded Mr. Bold,
"whether there was any correspondence
to support the statement made by the
city building surveyor that, without the
assistance of the commission, the neces-
sary clean-up of the city would have
taken place. I, therefore, submit the fol-
lowing facts. On July 20, 1936, the coun-
cil adopted a report from the health
committee, which considered that the
health inspectors had been carrying out
their duties satisfactorily in respect to
housing conditions. The committee
stressed that Government aid was neces-
sary to provide suitable accommodation
at a rent within the means of the dis-
possessed, and that it was essential for
this accommodation to be provided before
a more drastic application of condemna-
tion powers was exercised by the local
authority. The Government was asked
to act in the direction desired, but it was
not until six months afterwards that a
final reply was received from the Gov-
ernment, and even then this point was
discreetly ignored.
"A new era opened early in 1937, when
Mr. W. A. McInnis Green assumed office as
city building surveyor. Shortly after his
appointment, I discussed with him the
necessity for a thorough inspection, parti-
cularly of the central portion of the city,
to clean up irregular structures. On
August 10, 1937, the works committee re-
quested Mr. Green to submit a report as
to the arrangements which he considered
should be made to ensure the satisfactory
inspection of all buildings in course of
erection. The building surveyor's report
was adopted by the council on September
27, 1937. Finally, a survey of the sec-
tion of the city bounded by James-street,
the railway, Wellington-street and the
Swan River was commenced on February
2 last, and the report is now ready for
submission to the buildings committee for
consideration.
"These incidents were all prior to the
appointment of the Royal Commission,
which was gazetted on May 27 last, after
having been approved by Cabinet on Feb-
ruary 11; or even the appointment on
November 30, 19375 of the Select Com-
mittee (which did not function).
Lack of Statutory Powers.
"In 1935 the council appointed two ex-
perts to remodel the building by-laws. A
model building code was prepared, but
this cannot be enacted until additional
powers are conferred upon the council by
statute. The council failed in its efforts
to induce the Government to confer these
powers and, in despair, instructed the city
solicitor to revise the new building by-laws
so that they would contain only those
provisions which could be enacted under
the powers already held by the council.
Can pressure be brought to bear upon
Parliament to grant the required powers?
"One section of the new building by
laws dealt with such vitally important
matters as the classification of the city
into various zones--residential, business
and industrial--prescribing the percentage
of unbuilt open space in relation to vari-
ous classes of buildings and revising the
regulations in respect to, flats, etc.
Although the council passed this by-law
on April 20, 1937, it has not yet been
approved by the Government. Can some
thing be done?
Illegal Hoardings.
"Mr. Davidson stated," Mr. Bold pro-
ceeded, "that if the council would remove
illegal hoardings he would be in a posi-
tion to persuade the Government to remove
its hordings. Is not this a strange
attitude to assume? Should not the Gov-
ernment of the country set the example in
a matter of this sort and lead the local
authorities in the way they should go?
Hoardings contrary to the by-law have
existed in eastern Adelaide-terrace (on
Government property) for years past, but
the Government (and apparently the
Town Planning Commissioner) remained,
unperturbed. These hoardings offend by
being right on the building alignment-
not a mere trivial contravention of failing
to have the licence number on the hoard-
ing, which exercises Mr. Davidson so
greatly in the case of hoardings licensed
by the municipality. I am happy to say,
however, that the council has now taken
over this land from the Government, and
the hoardings will be removed at the end
of the present contract. Mr. Davidson
says the Government hoardings are
under control. This is good news if it
means that the Government has decided
to remove them, but does it mean that?
I think I can promise that if the Govern-
ment removes all its hoardings within the
city limits, the council will follow suit.
Heath Administration.
"Mr. Davidson charges the chief health
Inspector with what he consders are dere-
lictions of duty on Mr. Higgs's part for
which, in Mr. Davidson's opinion, Mr.
Riggs is personally responsible. Firstly,
we submit with all respect that the Com-
missioner of Public Health is appointed
under the Health Act as the supervisory
authority over local governing bodies with
regard to matters affecting public health.
Is not this, therefore, a matter for the
Public Health Commissioner, and not for
Mr. Davidson? Secondly, it is not con-
tended that the administration of the
health laws and by-laws is absolutely per-
fect, nor is it so in any city in the world.
It cannot be expected that every single
by-law will be enforced in every case in
which it is contravened. To obtain 100
per cent administration would entail the
appointment of a staff sufficient to enable
inspectors to devote almost continuous
attention to some premises. The coun-
cil does, however, endeavour to administer
the health laws as far as is reasonably
possible, and contends that it has been
successful, and that the public health of
the city is good.
"To afford some idea of the work that
has to be performed, the following inspec-
tions during the last financial year may
be mentioned:--37,273 house-to-house in-
spections; 3,066 inspections of licensed
premises, hospitals, etc.; 1,098 inspections
of butcheries and meat depots; 1,257 sep-
tic tank inspections; 934 inspections of
offensive trade premises; 1,609 special in-
spections; 1,552 inspections for mosquito
eradication; 3,933 food transport inspec-
tions; 755 inspections of kitchens. De-
partmental officers also made 2,459 in-
spections of food shops, in addition to
taking 1,076 milk samples and 286 samples
of bread. These are in addition to multi-
farious duties of a varied nature.
Tribute to City Improvement.
"In proof of the adage that 'a prophet
is never without honour save in his own
country,' I may say that I received a
letter from Mr. Morton (late City Com-
missioner for Sydney and previously city
engineer of Melbourne) during the sit-
tings of the Housing Commission in Mel-
bourne, stating that, in giving evidence
before that commission, he had mentioned
that Perth had done more practical town
planning and housing improvement work
than any other city in Australia.
"A sugestion has been made that coun-
cillors should inspect the work of the
building inspector in order to act as a
check. This, however, is a wrong concep-
tion of the duty of councillors. The coun-
cil should, as far as possible, confine it-
self to deciding matters of policy and
principle, fixing the budget and ordering
upon the works to be performed from time
to time, leaving it to the staff (which it
appoints) to put these decisions into
effect. In the case of the City of Perth,
it must be remembered that this is one
of the largest business organisations in
the city and next to Brisbane, it has the
largest area of any capital city in Aus-
tralia. The volume of business to be
transacted renders it all the more neces-
sary that members of the council shall
confine themselves to the direction of the
business as distinct from actual perform-
ance of the work by the staff."
"Treated With Contempt."
"On Monday," said Mr. Bold, "Mr.
Davidson made further wild statements
in the course of which he referred to me.
I propose merely to treat them with the
contempt they deserve."
Mr. Bold was cross-examined by Town
Planning Commissioner (Mr. D. L. David-
son).
"Was there an explosion in a kitchen
near the south supper room of the Perth
Town Hall within the last fortnight in
which a woman was seriously injured and
is now in hospital?" Mr. Davidson asked.
Witness: I do not know.
I want to prove that gas cowls are
essential for the public safety. Has the
stove in the kitchen a cowl in accordance
with the council's by-laws?--Hoods are
provided for under the by-laws only in
respect of residential flat buildings. I
think that there is a hood on the gas
stove mentioned.
You have been aware that the condi-
tion of the city was slipping for many
years?--No.
Therefore, according to your and the
council's standards, everything is all right
in the city?--I said in my statement that,
in regard to health matters, it is im-
possible to expect 100 per cent adminis-
tration. In regard to building matters,
in some respects things have not been
right in the past.
London Court Ventilation.
Mr. D. A. Evans, an inspector of the
Public Health Department, gave evidence
relating to the ventilation of London
Court.
The chairman: Was it by order of the
Public Health Department that little
squares of glass were taken out of vari-
ous rooms in London Court?
Witness: It was not an order; it was
a suggestion of mine. Within an hour
men were taking out the squares. Re-
ferring to an inspection of London Court
witness said: "When I stepped into one
woman's clothing shop the air was so
thick that one could hardly breathe.
When the door was closed, the place was
really an air-tight box. I felt clothing
in the shop and all of it was damp. I
was shown dresses on which mould was
growing owing to the lack of ventilation."
Taking the glass out does not mean
compliance with the by-laws?--No. Pro-
ceeding, witness said that in part of Lon-
don Court two or three premises had not
been knocked into one, and the entrance
doors were never closed while business was
in operation, to enable a current of air
to go around the building and out.
The chairman: It is not a satisfactory
proposition?
Witness: No, A door is not a ventilator;
neither is a window.
Forrest House conditions.
The city building surveyor (Mr. W. A.
Green) was recalled and questioned by
the chairman about the plans and speci-
fications of Forrest House, St. George's
terrace.
"I was very dissatisfied with the con-
ditions provided for the housing of the
maids and servants at Forrest House,"
said the chairman. "To my mind there
was no privacy for the girls at all and
the roof looked very low. I considered
that the space provided in the cubicle
where the girls are housed was not suf-
ficient."
Witness said that the original plans
passed for the reconstruction of Forrest
House provided for the ceiling to be 10ft.
6in. high. The ceiling in the girls' cubicle
was 6in. lower than it should be. The
place appeared to comply with the health
by-laws.
The chairman: In your opinion, should
not a bigger area of space be provided?
Witness: If living quarters are con-
cerned, it would be reasonable to expect
something a little better than that.
About 20 or 30 girls are housed there.
Some of the windows were blocked up.
Who was the architect for that building?
--Mr. Krantz, I think.
Who was the bullder?--Messr. Finlay
and Stoneman were the contractors for
Forrest House.
"You went around on inspections with
the commission," said the chairman, "and
I think that you had your eyes opened
to a few things that you had not seen
before. I am not speaking in any way
derogatory to you. Is it the council's in-
tention to move to pull some of these
places down.
"Action Will be Taken."
Witness: There is nothing that I have
seen that is not recorded. The only
thing of particular concern now is what
action the council can take legally. That
is being investigated and it will not be
long before some definite scheme is pro-
pounded. Some action will certainly be
taken.
The chairman said that members of
the commission agreed that Mr. Green
had been very helpful in his evidence.
Mr. Tonkin: Would you say that the
shops in London Court are inadequately
ventilated?
Witness: I think the ventilation in the
shops should be improved.
Mr. McDonald: Would there be any
great expense in making a sufficient im-
provement to the ventilation of those
shops?
Witness: I think it would be a rela-
tively small matter. Witness informed
the chairman that the smallest shop in
London Court was about 11 feet square,
including window-space.
Mr. McDonald: Was any by-law in-
fringed in the construction of the shops?
Witness: The by-law says that suffi-
clent flues and ventilators shall be pro-
vlded.
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