House Building Research Urged

Chronicle (Levin), 19 January 1948, Page 3

House Building Research Urged

Press Association)

(Per

WELLINGTON, Jan. 16. Investigation into the struetural problem of the small house is urged by Sir Regineld Stradling, chief seientific adviser to the British Ministry of Works, in a report to the Government on building and civil engineering research in New Zealand. Sir Reginald, whose report was released by the Minister of Seientific and Industripl Research (Mr. McCombs), added that he felt strongly that this work should be put in hand as a very urgent matter. He said inter-play of the following faetors required consideration: — Economy in the nse of timber and earthquake resistance, type of timber, heat insulation and methods. of heating, roof coverings (sheet materials versus tiles and earthquake resistance), and maintenanee costs. - All these inter-related faetors in home construction involved close stndy of materials — the timber itself and its preservation from destruetive agencies, heat insulators suitable for house construction (pumice, concrete blocks, glass, wool, aluminium foil), inereasing of production of the most suitable form of roof covering, paints or other types of preservative finishes. Sir Reginald said that if some of his remarks appeared critical they were at least not meant to do anything but help. "I have been permitted to see extensive w'ork, both on the hoiising and engineering sides, and as a stranger to fche- country very much oi it iadeed

appeals to me as of the highest class, worthv of coinparison not only with the best work in other countries but also with the magniiicent pioneering engineering work of which New Zealand is so justly proud," he said. "But troubles are showing in plaees and ones which an efficient technical intelligence scryice, backed by adequate research faeilities, could certainly help to sur-. mount." He also had seen exiamples of modern brick and » masonry buildings which indicated clearly tlxat the use.of materials was rather foreign to Ihe design-, er and ereetor, for trpub|es v^ere-^show-j ing which, if they devoloped as they" would in England, would result in failure of the buildings to -the extent that would entail serious alterations, if not demolition. Very much more knowledge, .which. could only be obtained by ext'ensive ; investigations of local materials and: conditions, was-.ess eritialm£..efii4ieh{; wi& was to be made of the natural resources of New Zealand in brickwork, masonry and concrete, and their various eombinations in structure.