IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 17 July 1929, Page 5

IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

EFFECT OF EARTHQUAKE ARCHITECT'S OPINION "There are of course details of construction which the earthquake has emphasised, but where brains and bricks have been properly used, the industry need have no fear for its future." The . above extract, taken from the letter of an expert engineer and architect, Mr A. S. Mitchell, M.l.Mech.E., F.N.Z.1.A., to a firm of brick manufacturers in Auckland, is reassuring and will carry some weight (states "The Dominion"). "No evidence has been forthcoming," said Mr Mitchell when interviewed, "as to the superiority of concrete—plain or reinforced — over well-built brick wails, as has been contended by some authorities, mostly American. In this connection it should be noticed that American brickwork is usually of 'stretches' witli one 'header' course ii? ten, and is obviously not to be compared with English or Flfemish 'bond,' which, if well-built in cement mortar approaches the ideal monolith with the added advantage of progressive plastic settlement. "It is obvious that in the districts affected some well-built constructions suffered while poor ones remained unharmed," Mr Mitchell continued. "Brick, concrete and timber structures of varying qualities and of all ages would seem to bear testimony for any case for which one might take up a brief. In this connection, therefore, caution is necessary as to any utterances which may possibly prejudice public opinion in any definite direction as being likely to bring about a reliance on certain classes of structure out of proportion to their merits.

"To be more specific, a brick building constructed with reasonable care is "much to be preferred to one of steel or reinforced concrete unless the latter is scientifically designed and skilfully and honestly constructed.'

"In outlying districts (such as the main earthquake area) it is obvious that the highest class of skilled workmen is not at all times to be secured, and in such" cases methods and materials must be chosen suiting the conditions, or extra cost for transport for labour and materials submitted to with good grace." . In conclusion, Mr Mitchell mentioned the following among several brick buildings which had suffered little if any damage from the earthquake:— Westport Technical School: Except for chimneys, no damage at all. Auckland Point School, Nelson: Received the minimum of damage. • A.M.P. building, Nelson: £5 will cover the damage done here. Biscuit and confectionery factory, Nelson: Did not suffer at all except for the chimnev, which came down at the hack. There was not a flaw in the 300 ft. of front wall. _ Nelson College: The scriptorium adioiniii"- the college, built of brick and forming part of the college, sustained little damage beyond a crack in the hall, 'which can be fairly' easily put right at very little cost. RELIEF FUND The Kaiapoi Woollen Company, Christchurch, Rave a donation of £SO towards the Earthquake Relief Fund, £25 of which is paid into the Nelson fund and £25 to the Greyniouth fund Messrs Dalgcty and Co. have donated £250 to the Mayor of Wellington's earthquake relief fund. (By Telegraph—Press Association) INVERCARGILL, This Day. The Ihvcrcargill Ravings Bank donated £2OO to the earthquake fund, which now totals about £2OOO.