Wairarapa Times-Age MONDAY, JULY 6, 1942. A LESSON LEARNED?

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 July 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age MONDAY, JULY 6, 1942. A LESSON LEARNED?

TF it served no oilier good purpose, the earthquake of the night of June 24 a.t least brought home sharply, and it may be hoped conclusively, the need of amending greatly the standards of building construction that have ruled hitherto in Masterton and elsewhere in the Wairarapa, as well, no doubt, as in many other parts of the Dominion. Apart from more or less seiious damage to a.forest of chimneys, we have seen, wrecking in whole or part of many more substantial buildings.

In Masterton alone, heavy damage has ben done to a host of business and other buildings. A church of noble design and proportions was so shattered by the earthquake that nothing remained but to complete the demolition of the fabric by the use of explosives. It will presumably be agreed that this cliuich must be replaced, by a structure of a very different type, much better fitted to withstand and resist earthquake shock, J. he Masterton Post Office, with its tower which was shattered ami has since been demolished, is another outstanding example 01. the kind of building construction that should not be attempted, or indeed permitted in this area.

The earthquake of .1934 and the latest visitation, in their total and cumulative effect, surely may be regarded as having demonstrated finally and completely the absolute necessity of a far-reaching revision of building standards throughout the "Wairarapa district, particularly in centres of population and in the case of larger buildings, though perhaps not in these instances alone. Although we may hope that seriously destructive earthquakes will not occur often, the only sensible policy to adopt evidently is that recommended by officers of the Geological Survey Office in their report on the earthquake of June 24— that in regions which include the whole of the Wairarapa all constructional work should be undertaken, with the view that it will certainly have to withstand earthquake shock sooner or later. '

It is, of course, in light of the best expert advice obtainable that the questions involved must be determined and dealt with, but some of the lessons taught by earthquake effects are plain for all to read, and point to some particulars in which compulsory powers evidently ought to be exercised. There can be no doubt, for example, that in buildings of all kinds, massive and weighty parapets and other heavy and needless tophamper ought to be prohibited. Even where features of this kind have survived in whole or part, their removal should now be insisted upon. ,

The institution and enforcement of satisfactory building standards may be assisted by the fact that in these days of Avar the replacement, and even the repair and restoration of buildings damaged last week of necessity will, be extended over a fairly lengthy period. There will be, of course, considerable scope for the salvaging and repair even of buildings which have been partly wrecked and which cannot be raised fully to the standards of strength and earthquake-resistance now to be desired in all new construction. Some of the repair and strengthening work carried out after the 1934 earthquake appears to have stood remarkably well the test of last week’s shock.

There is a great deal to be done, however, both in safeguarding existing buildings and in setting the highest practicable standards in all buildings to be erected henceforth. It should be recognised that it was by a merciful dispensation that the recent earthquake occurred as late at night as it did. Occurring at any one of a number of other times ol.‘ the day, it almost certainly would have resulted in much loss of life and physical injury. In the facts there is or should be an allsufficient incentive to the local and other authorities concerned to take up at once and resolutely the preparation and enforcement of a code of building by-laws which will limit, as far as possible, the destructive effects and dangers of any future earthquake.