TERMITES GET COUPLE A NEW HOUSE

Chronicle (Levin), 11 December 1947, Page 5

TERMITES GET COUPLE A NEW HOUSE

XEW PLYAIOUTH, Dec. 10. Ravaged by tennites until it ha.l almost reached a state of eompiete decay, a 70-ycur-old wooden. house ai Xew Plymouth is being demolished to ensure tlie protection of other Imildings iji the infcsted area, thus invoking a provision of the Tennites Act for what is believed to be the Jirst time in Xew Zealand. The authorities have built a modern cottage to replace it. The Xew idymouth Borough Counci and State Advances t'orporation whosc duty it is" to administer the act and ensure that eontrol measures are taken aave long been aware of the infestatioi. in tliG area caused by a species of Australian subterraneaii white termites. After numerous inspeclions it was de cided tliat the old house should be demolished. Tlie deinolition is only tlie second found neeessary in New Zealand .o prevent tlie spread of infestation. Before demolition was begun the rouncil and oorpo ration were f'aced with the problem of linding accoinmodai i oTi f(/r an elderly couple who livel in 1 tlie house and uiuler tlie Tennites Ari it was decided to erect a modern cottage for them on the same section of land so that they could continue to live vvhere their home had been for many years. It is understood that thji eost of ihe ereciion oi' the new houstj will be shared by the Government and borough council.