Variation on a theme.

On many themes in fact. One is not so much a theme as the City Council rule that along the Grey Lynn ridge no building should exceed four levels. Like almost all the more recent apartment buildings given resource consent and being (or been) built have been five levels. Concern about the shadows cast especially in winter have become unimportant.

Perhaps the greatest variation, however, is that the left hand corner of this apartment block occupies land on which an old single level brick house was used in its last days as a brothel. I would assume that the body corporate of this block will have learned from our experience where such an activity was not expressly banned in our rules, and an apartment on the top (fourth) floor became such a business for quite some months before the landlord evicted them. It was particularly unpleasant for the children and women in the building.

I suspect that this new building, like at least one of those recently completed, will have shared space on the flat roof top. Such innovations are welcome.

My extra today is the sign attached to the 4ft6in high fence around the defence headquarters on Great North Road. There is nothing to discourage someone from clambering over, except a number of these signs around the perimeter. Ships, boats and aeroplanes are unlikely to be brought onto the land, so I guess this is a catch all to let potential offenders know that our defence force has the power to take everything from them A side street off Great North Road runs along the edge of the Headquarters. The discouragement by businesses across the road from the Army includes razor wire on one, and electric fences across the top of a 7ft high fence on two others. I prefer the NZ Army approach.