IN BRICK AREA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 22

IN BRICK AREA.

MR. SEMPLE TELLS WHY. OFFICES URGENTLY NEEDED. "(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON", Friday. "The Government lias no desire to erect timber buildings if it is at all possible to avoid doing so/' stated the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, when his. attention was called to criticism by the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T.'C. H. Hislop, of the erection of the Social Security Building of wood in an area restricted by the City Council to less inflammable material. The Minister proceeded to show what was the position when this building was commenced. A reinforced concrete structure was out of the question at that time, apart from the fact that it would be difficult to demolish, the structure being intended for temporary use. The accommodation was urgently needed, and renforeing steel was almost impossible to obtain in anything like reasonable time. Quickest Method. Some disability existed regarding a steel-frame building, and the decision to erect a timber-frame building was therefore made. A good deal of consideration was given to the matter. It was decidedly quickest to erect, and could have been completed well under the estimated cost. I* had a frontage of 300 ft. with a depth of 90ft. The foundations were .of "reinforced concrete. One block, approximately one-third of the total, would have been ready 'for occuj)ation in a few days. When the building was planned there was an imperative need, owing to the inadequacy of the existing Government offices, and the impossibility of renting suitable accommodation for the rapidly increasing staff of the old Departments and the new* ones created due to the Government's policy.'--:' "Shockingly Provided Fori" "The previous Government had shamefully neglected .the building of .Government offices," said Mr. Semple. "It had not kept pace with:'.the demands of the Public Service even in its own day, let alone provided for the natural increase in the Public Service. • , : "The servants of the Government were shockingly provided with office accom- ' modation, compared with those ; in other city concerns. It is easy how to condemn the Government for; erecting- a timber building, but at .the- time there was 'no other method of expediting the provision of the office accommodation of which the - Government was desperately in need." - - ~ . • . . .. ,