"UNFAIR TEST"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 291, 9 December 1941, Page 8

"UNFAIR TEST"

ENGINEER'S VIEW

SOFTBOARD EXPERIMENT

"From what I saw of the test, : don't think it was altogether fair." said James Tyler, city engineer a Auckland, in reply to Mr. Stantoi (for the City Council) at this mom ing's sitting of the Commission o' Inquiry into the fire at the premise of John Burns and Company, Ltu Mr. F. K. Hunt presided. Witness was asked his view re garding the test of the effect of tin fire on softwood of the type used ii John- Burns.

Witness stated his reasons fo: considering that the test, which to made for. the benefit of the commit sion, was not fair, adding that undc an experiment which he conductc himself there was very little diffc: ence between the effect of fire on th softboard and on the timber. • He-was surprised that so litt!< damage had been done to this soft board at the place stated to be the origin of the fire.

Regarding softwoods, there was r great deal of difficulty about permit ting or banning materials put or. the market and used extensive!; throughout the world, said witnes: When new material was submiitc to him he would get a decision abo* it from the Standards" Commit tc He did not think that each local boo officer should be responsible vhc' there was a scientific research bod" in existence.

In reply to Mr. Meredith (counsel assisting the commission), witnesf stated that the rapid spread of the nre might have been due to some thing in connection with the pain; or fixtures.

Decision regarding the effect r>" u e on so^t " ,oar d. witness considcrcl should be postponed until a scientific test had been carried out. Evidence regarding buiiding regu lations. particularly in reference u nre escapes, was also given by witness. . (Proceeding.)