EARTHQUAKE RISK

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 62, 14 March 1934, Page 10

EARTHQUAKE RISK

SAFETY OF BUILDINGS

DUTY OF LOCAL BODIES

The responsibility on local bodies of doing their full share in taking precautions against earthquake damage was emphasised by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) when opening the conference of the Municipal Association of New Zealand today. He urged-the desirability not only of exercising every care in future building operations, but also of making existing buildings as safe as possible. Mr. Forbes said that after the Hawke's Bay earthquake three years ago the Government had set up a committee of experts to examine the building regulations and to see what could be done for the future to make buildings reasonably safe. That committee had sat for a considerable time and had brought down a very valuable report. Legislation was introduced into Parliament, but there was a good deal of opposition to it in regard to the question of administration. Accordingly the Bill was not proceeded with, but under the legislation the Government had power to bring in bylaws covering' the position. It was decided to deal with the problem in that way and to draw up model bylaws which could bo adopted by local bodies. The work was entrusted to the Standards Committee, a body of experts who had power to add to their number, and who. he understood, would be thoroughly representative of the necessary knowledge available in New Zealand. GENERAL TIGHTENING-UP. When the model bylaws were compiled they would be issued to the local bodies with a request that they should be embodied in the general bylaws, Mr. Forbes continued. There, was power under the Act for the bylaws to be incorporated in the general bylaws of any local body by Order in Council, but the Government hoped that they would be adopted generally. Their administration was in the hands of the local bodies, which could nullify the whole purpose of them by not administering them in the proper way. It had been found after the. recent earthquake that a good deal of the damage had been caused to buildings which should not have been passed by any local body with any concern for public safety, iii some cases walls and balconies had been built without the slightest tie or support. "When one sees what can result from an earthquake one realises how, much is left entirely to chance," said Mr.. Forbes. "There should be a general tightening-up in that respect." Mr. Forbes went on to say that while provision was being made for the future he thought that local bodies , should also go into the question of taking reasonable precautions to make existing buildings safe. Where it was known that certain buildings would be absolutely unsafe in the event of anything like a major earthquake, it was the duty of local bodies to see that some precautions were taken. It was not to be expected that they would insist upon very expensive alterations being made, but ho thought they would be justified in calling upon the owners to adopt some reasonable measures in the interests of public safety. At the present time, when there were so many unemployed, an opportunity was provided of having whatever work was necessary done at a moderate cost. Mr. Forbes added that he was sure the matter would receive the earnest consideration of the conference. j