11
Legislation
DURING the year 36 ordinances and a considerable volume of subsidiary legislation were enacted. Although the majority of this legislation amended existing laws it did at the same time reflect new conditions and situations resulting from the development of the Colony. This is particularly true of the group of legislation in the field of public safety as it is affected by industrial and building development.
The Fire Services (Amendment) Ordinance, 1964, is intended to facilitate as far as possible the prevention of fires and to minimize damage to life and property if a fire does occur. It empowers the Director of Fire Services or any authorized officer to enter and inspect premises in order to obtain information necessary for fire-fighting purposes and to ascertain if any fire hazard exists therein. The person responsible for a fire hazard, or the owner or occupier of the premises in which it exists, can by notice be required to abate the hazard and to prevent its recurrence. If he fails to do so, a magistrate is empowered in certain circumstances to prohibit the premises being used for human habitation or for the storage of certain goods, until the hazard is abated. In certain circumstances the Director may abate the hazard himself.
The Buildings (Amendment) Ordinance, 1964, gives powers to ensure that new buildings are equipped with minimum fire service installations. The Building Authority is empowered to refuse to approve plans or to issue occupation permits, if the plans do not show or the buildings do not contain installations and equipment approved by the Director of Fire Services, or if they are not in good working order.
The Buildings (Amendment) (No 2) Ordinance, 1964, gives special powers to prevent the collapse of adjoining buildings, where demoli- tion work or building work involving piling or excavation is being carried out. The Building Authority is empowered to refuse consent to the commencement of such work or, in the case of demolition