MOUNTING COSTS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1931, Page 2

MOUNTING COSTS

BUILDING G()N>STBU(:TI ON. CLERKS of works. There is a saying that it never rains but it pours. The Building Construction Bill lays it down that in future the cost of building must be added to appreciably by the appointment of a clerk of works in every case, says a statement issued by the .Associated chambers of commerce of New Zealand. Now comes the New Zealand Institute oi Clerks of Works Bill, introduced into the House of 'Representatives bv Mr P. Fraser which coolly provides that every pri-

son, firm, or company erecting almost

any building whatever shall be compelled under penalty to employ on the supervision of the constructional work, only a clerk of works registered under the bill.

If members of Parliament are determined to heap still higher building costs on the heads o', the •omu unity, they have only to pass this measure and it will automatically fall into harness with its natural partner, the Building Construction Bill. The two bills together houkl certainly deter anybody from building other than houses, or financially embarrass those who do.

In the first- place the employment of a clerk of works to supervise the erect on reconstruction or alteration of every building, is one of the totally unnecessary and uncalled for provisions of the Building Construction Bill. The proper function of a clerk of works is to see that the provismns of the contract made between principal and contractor are

complied with. It is obvious that- the powers ol ;t local authority in respect to supervision should not be delegated ( to a clerk ol works. The system which [ has stood the -test ol Lime is that the appointment ol a clerk of works is left to the jurisdiction of the architect and owner. Where the owner has complete confidence in his architect and in his contractor, and where' there is not a great amount of detail in the structure there is no good reason why the expense ot a clerk of works should be incurred. .Such a course would make the undertaking ot large buildings a grave matter from Uhe point of v:ew of expense. The enforced employment of clerks of works is estimated to necessitate an increase . in the cost ot building construction of I approximately £50,000 per annum, dll 1 addition, there is rhe sum of about £12,500 per annum which the Government. proposes to collect in special fees

on building permits—based on the official building figures for New Zealand for the year ended March 31, 1930. Besides this, ordinary permit fees have to be paid to the local authorities. The total burden is more 'than can he borne by persons or firms erecting buildings other than small dwellings.

Although greater security in building construction and design is des. ruble throughout New Zealand the Building Com tr.cton Bill savours of panic legislation and seeks to swell the army inspectors and overseers that already overrun the country. Labour imeiests have been quick to seize the opportunity to introduce a ti ll providing lor a sort of trade union of clerks of works whom all who build must employ on pain

of penalty. Local bodies already possess the machinery to enforce the observance of building design and construction on approved lines. It is not yet too

late to remove from the Building Construction Bill the provisions in regard to clerks jaf works. A-s for the Clerks ol Works Bill, it can well be consigned to oblivion in toto.