THE ACCIDENT IN THE CUTTING.

Evening Star, Issue 3325, 16 October 1873, Page 2

THE ACCIDENT IN THE CUTTING.

At the City Council ima'ing yesterday the Surveyor reported, in reference to the falling if the cornice from Messrs 'I homson, Strang, and Co.’s building, as follows : With reference to this matter, I beg to report that I have made the requisite calculations and experiments, with the view of testing the stability of the work, and with the following result : The cornice fell from the building before the ccntilivers, or brackets, had been placed in position. The equilibrium of the cornice without these brackets I calculated to be in the proportion of 1.30 to 1 : that is, if the tendency of the cornice to fall be taken as one. the tendency to remain in position is 1.30. This small margin of safety was destroyed, I suspect, by the liberation of the scaffolding on which the cornice was built. The cornice, having been built without the brackets, should havo been secured at the back. Actual experiment on a 4ft. length of the cornice erected in the Corporation store, with the cantilivers, showed that it required a weight of 561b, on the outermost projection of the cornice to bring the whole mass over—a result closely approximating to the theoretical examination. lam informed that it is intended to secure the cornice with iron clamps at the rear, when all possible element of risk will he removed. With reference to my own position in the matter, I would respectfully remind the Council that I cannot be expected to act as “ Supervising Architect ” or “ Clerk of Works” to all the buildings erected in the City, My surveys must be limited to the requirements of the Building Regulations, and which, in my opinion, are amply stringent enough. I could not hold myself responsible to calculate the required strength of all the beams, girders, columns, arches, floors, roofs, &c., used in a building. Such duties are not contemplated by the regulations, but attach to the architects and builders employed. Were it otherwise, not only would an enormous labor he thrown upon me, but also the responsibility of all the conditional details »f every building in the City. Before the Building Regulations were adopted by the Council, a copy was sent to every architect and builder, and they met with universal approval. However much they may be sought to be amended, the ultimate responsibility of construction must rest with the architect and builders.

The Mayor said a good deal of reflection had been tfirowa on the Surveyor by the public, who though}: he was responsible for the safety of the buildings bping erected, whereas he had only to see chat they conformed with the Bail'ling Ordinance, The Works Committee, at its last meeting, ordered the Surveyor to make this report, in order to satisfy the public. Cr. Walter said the Council should not overlook one thing connected with the report, viz., that the Surveyor stated if the clamps had been placed in proper position the accident would not have happened. He thought the b'amc rested with cither the architect or the builders ; and the Council, whose duty it was to protect the safety and lives of the citizens, should not be mealyinoqthpd in speaking on such a matter. It was his opinion, although not acquainted with the strict rules of etiquette between architects an'l builders, that' the architects were to blame in this case. Cr. was of opinion that the fixing of tlie wall piatea woujd have prevented the accident. The report pleapl the Survcyo-. but it was plain the Building Ordinance did not sufficiently pieet what was required, and it ought to be amended. Cr. Burt said there was only one matter that reflected op the Council. If proper plans were not forwarded to theSurvcyor, it was competent for him to reject them. From the great number of buildings going up at the present time, the Surveyc r could not devote the time required to attend to this matter. To properly examine the plans of such a building as Messrs Thomson. Strang, and Co.’s required two or three days, ami wit hj his work it was impossible he could devote that amount of time. He did not intend to throw blame upon anyone ; but he thought the proper course for the Council would be to appoint an officer who could devote tps proper time to seeing the requirements'of the fjiuddiogOr/difiance car " cd out. Cr. Ba.v.say ‘'tlioSight if fi pity that Councillors should reflect upon th 4 architects 01 anyone else, unless they were really in a position to do so. Mr Wales told him that be courted inquiry, and would only bo glad if one were to take place. Cr. Burt denied that he imputed blame to anyone. He only wished to show what CO nld he done to prevent similar occurrences in future. Cr. Walter thought that it yqis the duty of the architect or Inspector to have gepn that the cornice was properly secured ; gnd fr«rp ti?at opinion he would not recede one peg The subject then dropped.