CONTROL OF BUILDING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 290, 8 December 1932, Page 6

CONTROL OF BUILDING.

Whether the Building Construction Bill will be rushed through in the last hours of the session is not known at the time of writing, but it should be realised that the amendments introduced at the last minute do not affect the most objectionable feature of the measure —the power of the Public "Works Department to interfere with design. The Bill makes it possible for a Public Works inspector to condemn a design at any stage/ and unless architects receive approval befoiehand, which would involve irritating and costly delay, they -will not feel secure. This centralised control is unnecessary. It would be quite sufficient if a model schedule of by-laws were drawn up and the local authorities were required to see that buildings were designed within these, with special provisions for special areas. The present provision looks like an attempt to lind more work for the Public Works Department at a I time when through force of circumstances it is I losing much of its old occupation.