INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1132, 20 May 1911, Page 4

INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS.

EXTENSION OF POWERS SUGGESTED. One of the newly-elected Cit.v Councillors (Mr. L. M'Kcnuic) favours an extension of the powers cf tho City Council in connection with the inspection of buildings. At present, the council inspects standing structures and secondhand timber', which it is intended to incorporate in buildings,_ is also subject to inspection. Mr. M'Kcuxie considers that new timber, _ intended for building, should be inspected. 'Merry" builders, ho declares, are in the habit of using wet and "sappy" timber of so low a standard that it perishes in a few years. Mr. M'Kenzic's attention was recently drawn to tho state of a house in tho suburbs. It was erected only a few years ago, but already it is possible, with slight effort, to push a knife through tho boarding in many places. This, Mr. M'Kenzio states, is not an isolated instance. To put a stop to this sort of thing, ho considers it essential that new building timber should be inspected, and condemned if it does not roach a reasonable standard of quality. It is better, tho councillor contends, to bo wise before tho event than to permit tho erection of building which sliortly becomo unfit for habitation. Mr. M'Kcnzio mooted his proposal at tho last meeting of the council. It was then ruled out of order, on the ground that tho council had no power to carry out tbe_ proposed inspection, but Mr. M'Kcnzic considers that the council should apply for the powors which would onablo it to giro effect to his proposal.