THE ADVANCE OF BUILDING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 314, 14 February 1910, Page 2

THE ADVANCE OF BUILDING

" CAMERATED CONCRETE." The presence in New Plymouth of Mr. H. Leslie Friend, holder of the New Zealand rights of the system of building in camerated (chambered) concrete, prompts the question, "Have the pre-sent-day generation ever given the heading of, this article more than a passing thought?" The topic is interesting, and was discussed by Mr. Friend with a "Daily News" reporter on Saturday. First, we have the "Stone Age," when man had plenty of time to hew caves in great rocks and make their homes m them. Then, evidently, many of them got lazy and tired of using their strength in this way, and thought that by plastering mud on sticks' worked trellis ways, it would save a lot of hard work. Then they thought of building in wood, and so cut down | their forests to make their homes. These they found were often destroyed by fire, so they went back to clay and baked it into bricks. A peculiar fact about these ages is that although cement was known to them, and used to make drain pipes, bridges, floors', etc., it never struck them to actually build a dwelling in the material. In later ages we seem to have gone through the same state. Take the pioneers of the British dominions—they first of all built in log huts, then in sawn timber, then in brick made of clay; then some enterprising men thought of putting up buildings in cement concrete, and what wonderful results they have achieved, in strength, durability, cheapness' of construction, etc. In America we see steel structures hundreds of feet high, which are then filled up with concrete, make a fireproof and earthquake-proof building. 20 to 30 storeys high. Then again» hollow concrete blocks were thought of, and used in many instances with success. Then the famous Edison's idea of a mould of a whole house in steel, turning them out like sausages, at the rate of three a day. The unfortunate part of his idea seems to be the initial cost of the mold, which is something like £5,000, and also the whole suburb will have every house exactly alike. The latest system of camerated concrete seems to be the best in every way, as it is strong, fireproof, damp-proof, and last, but not least, the cheapest system yet known. The system of making camerated concrete walls, really -two concrete walls " tied" at regular intervals and reinforced with steel, has already been described in these columns, and an actual example is' to be. seen in -ie building now being erected for Messrs. Nolan and Co. by Mr. R. W. Bond at the corner of Liardet and Gill Streets. The outside walls of the buildings can be < finished in many ways, either rough cast, imitation brick, stone, granite, or pure cement finish, all very cheap methods, owing to the straightness and smoothness of the concrete. The inside can be finished with a '' skim" coat of [finish, and, if necessary, can be papered I within a week of the finishing coat being applied. Money is saved by this method, the work employing only one skilled foreman and the rest day laborers. Three men working eight hours a day can easily construct lfiO feet of walling a foot high, or raise by two feet a wall 70 feet long, the width of the wall being Sy 2 inches, made up of two "shell" walls of 1% inches each and a cavity of 5 inches. Window and door frames are set in as in brickwork, and are fastened to plugs let into the walls as they are being erected. Mr. Friend informed our representative on- Saturday that camerated concrete buildings are at present being erected in- various parts of the dominion, including three churches, abattoirs, bacon and dairy factories, a building at the Waerenga State farm, tanneries, and private dwellings of all sizes, from four(roomed cottages to dwellings costing £2OOO. In one of the large centres the erection of twenty four-roomed cottages is to be proceeded with, the total cost (including fencing) to be £2OO each. Over £(10,000 worth of work will be started before June Ist next. Mr. J. W. Wilson is the local agent. Mr. Friend will be here all day to-day, and will be glad to give any information to engineers.