A backlog of human rights cases referred to a Board of Inquiry - some dating back two years - is waiting to be cleared up.

Acting director of human affairs Beverly Morfitt would not give any details except to say that the department had nine cases on its books.

Cases end up being recommended for referral to a Board of Inquiry when the Human Rights Commission, which adjudicates complaints, cannot get disputing parties to agree on a ruling.

While Commission hearings are held in private, inquiries are generally open to the public.

The backlog exists primarily because the hearings rely on people with legal expertise, many of whom have busy law practices, explained Mrs. Morfitt.

“We are moving as fast as we can with what we've got,” she said.

Community Affairs Minister Randy Horton, who has responsibility for Human Affairs, said: “All cases will be dealt with as soon as I can.

“We do have a backlog and so I'm trying to make haste.”

Mr. Horton appoints people to the Board of Inquiry, as cases come up, from a list of 22. Each case is heard by two or three lawyers who volunteer their services.

Home plan submitted

Lemarc Development Company has submitted an application to the Planning department to build five new homes on a vacant lot at Spice Hill, Warwick.

A portion of the 6.26-acre lot on which the company seeks to build is protected as woodland reserve, green space and agricultural space.

According to the application, the development would include five separate, three-bedroom homes of 2,500 square feet each.

The five units would share a common pool and pavilion and be accessed from a driveway off Tribe Road #7.

The lot is zoned residential 2 and rural and the application for final planning approval was submitted on September 24.

Last night postponed

The season finale of Market Nights in St. George's was postponed yesterday. It will now take place next Tuesday, October 8.

Organisers have rounded up the Doc Symons' Revue as special entertainment in the town square for the night.

On the move

The Department of Child and Family Services has moved from its Point Finger Road offices in Paget to a new facility in Hamilton.

The new address is Melbourne House Building, Suite 202A, Hamilton and the phone number is 296-7575. However, the mailing address is the same.