CORNHILL DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1927, Page 2

CORNHILL DISASTER

FfltTHKll COLLAPSE FEARED. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Aug. 8. The Cornhill collapse hits caused speculation as to the safety of London buildings, in view of the immense amount of travelling and excavating. The “ Daily Kxpress ” says: Experts state that many old stone buildings are rotten to the core. It is miraculous that they have not collapsed like a pack of cards. Some day whole buildings will collapse without warning. Then the problem will he recognised as really serious. Of even greater danger are the overhanging cornices and projecting ornaments, which are liabi'e to .bill at any time. 1 here are a number ol case where a ton of masnory might crash in a.crowded street. Fears are not based on the cause of the Cornhill disaster, but on the disintegrating influence of the London atmosphere, and the more modern problem of petrol fumes, which settle as a deposit on stonework. The insurance companies report a rush to insure city buildings.

The closing of Cornhill and Lombard Streets created the worst traffic jam in history, despite the efforts of the most experienced traffic officers. Vehicles steadily filled up In a stream and waited near the Mansion House, and motor buses, lorries, taxis, and cars , were wedged in an unbroken stream half way across the city. Five minute bus journeys occupied an hour, and it was necessary to continually change routes to quiet streets no wider than the ordinary vehicles, which are usually prohibited to traffic, and they were crowded all day. The streets will he closed several days, constituting the greatest problem yet tackled.