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Architects. These representations, which urged the enforcement over the whole country of not only the fire protection and prevention codes, but also those relating to earthquake resistance and other hazards to people and property, were referred to the Royal Commission set up to inquire into the fire in Christchurch and necessarily remain sub judice pending its report, when the whole matter will receive the attention of the Government. Housing Improvement. —By agreement of the parties concerned, the Standards Institute undertook the secretarial duties in connection with a conference of representatives of local and Government authorities, convened at the instigation of the Minister of Works and the Minister of Health, to examine the housing standards provided for in proposed regulations under the Housing Improvement Act, 1941, in the light of comments received from their circulation to interested parties. The draft regulations, as amended by the conference, were further circulated for comment by the Housing Division of the Public Works Department. Sir Reginald E. Stradling.—During the year a visit was paid to the Dominion by Sir Reginald E. Stradling, Director of Building Research in Great Britain, and a member of the General Council of the British Standards Institution. The opportunity was taken to call a conference of members of the committees in the building division, at which Sir Reginald outlined the manner in which standardization had assisted to alleviate the housing shortage in Great Britain, and emphasized its value as a means of putting the results of scientific and other research into practical application with the least possible delay. He also discussed with those present some aspects of the application of standardization to the building industry. Measurement of Buildings Committee (Seven meetings) Measurement of Building Work. —During the year this committee completed the drafting of the remaining twelve parts of the proposed standard method for the measurement of building work, which relate to roof coverings, plumbing work, drainage work, solid-plaster work, fibrous-plaster work, floor and wall tiling work, terrazzo work, resilient floor-covering work, electrical work, painting and decorating work, glazing work, and specified adjustable sums. These twelve parts will be circulated to the interested parties for review and comment, and while this circulation is being carried out the committee will review the first eleven parts in the light of the comments received during their circulation, now completed. The extensive comments on the first eleven parts received from interested professional and trade organizations overseas as well as from within New Zealand soundly indicate that the uniform method of measurement for building work, as a basis for estimating costs and charges, which this standard specification will provide will be of the utmost value to quantity surveyors and to the building trade generally. Building Materials Sectional Committee (One meeting) Glass and Glazing Committee .. .. .. .. One meeting. Terrazzo Products Committee .. .. .. .. One meeting. Parent Committee.—Besides reviewing the work coming under its direction, this committee examined 6 draft British standards and 15 British standards, and directed their circulation to affected interests for comment concerning their suitability for adoption in New Zealand.

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