NOTES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18429, 9 July 1925, Page 4

NOTES.

(By Builder.)

"Builder" invites contributions from readers on any matter of interest which they might like to propose. Correspondence on subjects of interest will also be accepted.

Tenders will close with Mr G. T. Lucas on Tuesday for the erection of an additional storey in reinforced concrete in Londontown.

For the month of June 200 permits tor buildings were issued by the Auckland City Council, this being a good indication that the boom still:, exists in the city, jt was stated the work was coming in well, and that for the time of the year the application for permits exceeded expectations. During the month a permit for the Jubilee Institute for the Blind of £11,7C0 was issued, while a permit for £'2311 for alterations to the fire station at Mount Albert was also issued. In a'l other cases the permits were for dwellings, garages, or warehouses, the chief values being £b'9oO, £3240, £26-50 and £ll2O. Several warehouses are noted as being under repair, while mp.ny shops arc in the course of construction.

At the last meeting of the Auckland Builders and Contractors' Association, Mr It. H. Stvcnson referred to the need of revision of the Scaffolding Act, particularly in respect of the conditions imposed for low structures for wooden houses. It. was not right that a. builder should have to obtain the ap'proval of an inspector for any scaffold up to 10 or 12 feot, and the absurdity of the Act was shown by the fact that a "builder'was debarred from using a stool or a trestle even at medium heights. It was decided that the matter be discussed at the next meeting, with a view to petitioning Parliament for a revision of the Act.

The rebuilding ■of Waterloo Bridge makes the following paragraph from the "Cornish Magazine" of 1828 particularly interesting. It has been unearthed by a correspondent of the Morning News" : "Everybody knows, what, however, may not be irrelevant to our subject to notice, that Waterloo Bridge is built of Cornish granite, and what Cornishman that has crossed it has not, at the moment at least, felt proud at the thought that the handsomest of all bridges in the Metropolis is constructed of a" material taken from his native county ? Surely none; for not to feel gratified by such a circumstance argues the most stupid insensibility, or a species of affectation beneath a man's contempt, from both of which qualities Oornishmen are happily exempt."

There has been a good deal of discussion lately about Piccadilly Circus and its illuminated advertisements (says a London paper). Sir Prank Dicksee, the President of the Royal Academy, began it.\ He finds the winking illuminations the height of vulgarity, and would keen the beautiful Eros statue away from the contamination of such ugliness. Many artists and others agree with him. On the other hand, distinguished artists have raised their voices in defence of the illuminations, which they consider very beautiful. Who shall decide? It seems to.be a matter in which individual taste is the onlv arbiter. We suggest one principle on which possibly the protagonists would agree. Illumination is not ugly in itself; indeed, it may be really charming. But it should set out the architectural lines of the building, not ignore them, as is done with most London advertising signs.

BUILDING BOOM IN DUNEDIN. (special to "the pkess.") DUNEDI.N,. July 8. There has been an epidemic of shop reconstruction during the past month or so in the city, and local builders and glaziers report that they have been inundated with work from firms who are evidently anxious to catch the eyes of Exhibition visitors. . In one George street block practically every shop front has been renovated in the space of a few weeks, whilst most of the shops on the south side of the Octagon have also received attention lately. Owing to the building boom sections in some of the suburbs are now extremely difficult to obtain. There is an unprecedented r.mount of building going on at the present time, a significant feature being the number of better class residences in course of construction.