STONE FOR BUILDING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 6 August 1929, Page 2

STONE FOR BUILDING

(To the Editor)

Sir, —I have seen numerous reports as to the best material for building purposes. In no instance have 1 seen stonementioned. Mr Forbes at Auckland refers to generalisation many times, its seen by the press. We must admit it is of great importance, especially in this area. It is out of all reason to treat the subject lightly. The height, of buildings must bo taken into consideration, and a material selected that lias the qualities to stand the compression and tension powers most. Some authorities advocate brick, others reinforced concrete. It makes one ask the question., "are they really interested on building construction material?" Bricks as used in many instances to-day are only fit for party walls or partitions as regards their weathering qualities, and still you see them used for face work. lam not going into the constituents of brick soil, or classification, re process of making and burning. Now which bond would the conscientious builder select even with the most modern wall ties if he was asked to construct with bricks other than those used on the Marsden Hall, Buxton's, etc. ? I am only referring to the qualities of building ' construction material. The subject is most interesting at the best of times, and it becomes more so, especially in this area. A great, deal can be said on concrete construction, the different systems and the many formulae that exist, but when all is said and done no one can dispute the fact that with consistent practice in this work, and contractors strictly adhering to specifications, it is mere, reliable than brickwork, as it increases in volume of strength the older it gets. . There are many kinds of stone having the same qualities once they take a good weathering face (or skin). Stone has many advantages. 1 shall mention a few: The weathering qualities, strength of construction, lowcost of maintenance, and insurance, exposing dignity and beauty in every instance, and if in Oamaru stone the low cost of working. Stone takes the position as being second to none to any other material as used in building construction. One can go back to the time San Francisco was rebuilt after the earthquake, and great fire. There was a demand for stonemasons, almost equal to the boom in. Glasgow in 1895-6, when there were between four and five thousand masons employed it. that great stone city. That is sufficient to the most learned in masonry that stone holds the predominant position. One has only got to visit the Church Hill and see for himself the bond in stone work, take note of all projections moulded or otherwise, and see how they are bedded to the shell or wall, no stone being allowed to be fixed with a projection greater than the bed or part of the stone that has to carry the projection Those projections are safe and carry the true lines of geometry as applied in. Gothic architecture. In New Zealand we. have some splendid stone;;. The stone as used on the Cathedral—Takaka .Marble -.Mount Sonicrs and Oamaru arc nlsr g 00.,! weathering stones. The last-named has many advantages, as T mentioned earlier, the low cost of working. Theoretical knowledge is not sufficient to furnish satisfactory data, to satisfy those who arc interested in the weathering qualities of stone . This statement has been proved. The practical tradesman who has to cut the stone from many angles can generally tell by the working, as experience has taught him that a stone cutting clean on all edfes and giving out clear all the geometrical lines required showing a regular vein, will weather well. One of the best writers on "Practical Masonry" says—" The stonemason's opinion, is too seldom sought. If more often, many buildings would be in a better state of preservation than they are today." The real fault of decay in stonework is the setting of it. If you put any building material the wrong way on the wall, such as having its natural face used as a bed, instead of having it exposed, one is seeking had results. It travel is education,, there is little argument as to what material lakes the predominant position. The. most beautiful and historic cathedrals all over the world are built of it. also town halls, museums. Parliament ,Buildings, and it is seldom you see a cement face on a bank building.—l am, etc., A. BORLAND. 140 Ilardv street,