THE FIRE IN WELLINGTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 6

THE FIRE IN WELLINGTON

THE heavy conflagration in Wellington has occasioned a heavy property loss, but consolation is to be had in the fact that nobody was personally injured. Whether the loss would have been the same had a high wind been blowing or no rain had been falling at the time is a matter for speculation. On the whole, however, the fortune which has attended this catastrophe has been remarkable. There are several features of the situation, however, which are decidedly unsatisfactory. In the first instance the Wellington City by-laws have been flouted by the Government, for the Mayor of Wellington has stated plainly that the City Council would never have issued a permit to erect such a building as was in the course of construction had such permit been applied for by any individual firm or private organisation. Secondly, a highly inflammable material appears to have been used in the construction of the building in question. It is undesirable that the Government should be prejudged on the matter, but the two factors in combination cannot be regarded as other than a formidable sum which, if added together, cannot be lightly passed over. Indeed, are there other conditions in combination elsewhere? It is impossible not to feel disturbed by the present circumstances and a Royal Commission should be set up to inquire into the management of Government building operations.