County Building Inspector Reports On District Matters

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 88, 28 August 1950, Page 5

County Building Inspector Reports On District Matters

Interesting comments were made by the building and health inspector, Mr R. D. Stirling, in his report to the Whakatane County Council on Tuesday. He reported:—

Improvements are being carried out at the Te Teko saleyards, where provision has been made for the sale of pigs. New privy and urinal accommodation has been provided.

The manager of the Loan and Mercantile (owners of the yards) was interviewed re improvements to the Red Cross eating-house at the saleyards. Cattle saleyards near the Whakatane bridge are most unsatisfactory in that no paving or drainage is provided. Inspection of privy buildings at the north end of Ohope revealed that they are unsatisfactory. Privy buildings at the Waimana Domain are also unsatisfactory. Halls Inspected

Several halls have been inspected. The one causing the most concern is at Te Teko. Notices have been sent out requesting action within a fortnight. Another hall at Murupara was found to have no privy accommodation. Plans have been prepared and forwarded to the proprietor. Twenty-six general inspections have been carried out.

Very few have been inspected throughout the month but, from the exterior view of some dwellings, it appears that there is large scope for future work within the county in this direction.

One particularly bad dwelling at Hodge’s Road,- Waimana, was fully reported to the County Clerk, who had taken further action.

Twenty-seven interviews, mainly concerning the work on hand, and future intentions, has been the total for the period. Although throughout the month 1 have only been notified as regards one drainage installation, I have inspected eight. These were noted during building inspections. It appears that very little control has existed in the past, and if we are to improve the standard of plumbing and drainage within the county, we must insist on inspections, then notification. The only satisfactory method to bring about notification is to insist on permits being issued for plumbing and drainage work. It is usual to charge a fee. I do not consider the charge of a small fee to the plumber would bring about any hardship, but it would give me greater control. The standard can be gauged when I point out that I have had to take to task the two leading plumbers and drainlayers in Whakatane because of the considerable amount of faulty workmanship. Standard Varies A considerable number of inspections have been carried out (28) and from these it has been noted that the standard of construction varies considerably. There is a complete lack of knowledge of the bylaws even among established builders, some even stating there is no by-law. Timber used in some instances is too light, 3x2 studs are used extensively for internal walls. Bylaws state 4 x 1&. Standard specification 95 is 4 x 2 or 3 x 2 on nonbearing walls. It has been found in some instances that 3x2 studs have been uutilised throughout the buildings, and in one instance 2x2 was used. \

It can be readily understood that with the inferior types of building timbers we are receiving today, it is, I consider, more necessary to insist on heavier timber, to atone for lack of quality, and I would like the Council to insist on requiring the standard as set by the Standard Specification 95 Part IX.