NOTES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18916, 3 February 1927, Page 4

NOTES.

(By "Builder.") ''Builder" invites contributions from readers on any matters of interest which they might liKo to propose. Correspondence on various subjects pertaining to building will also be accepted.

Mr J. Collins is visiting Wanganui. Tenders for the erection of business premises in Peterborough street for Messrs Bradley Bros., Ltd., will l>e received at the office of Mr J. Outline, 178 Manchester street, up till -1 p.m. on February 11th. Tho Vacuum Oil Company, Pty., Ltd., invites tenders for the erection of fencing and gates on its propertj at Lyttelton. Alterations and additions have been undertaken by Messrs Mason, "ruthen and Co., and the. tenders close at 4 p.m. on February 10th with Mr 0. T. Lucas, 143 Hereford street. Tenders aro invited for tho installation of septic tank and the laying, ot sewerage pipes at tho Selwyn fishing huts for the tspringston South Domains Board. Messrs Dawo and Willis, Gloucester street, are tho architects. There wero no large building contracts in January, and tho total value of tho permits issued by tho wty Council was £35,71)8, St. Albans accounting for £10.780. The number was 74. In December tho value of tne buildings authorised was £52,913, and tho number of permits 98. Seven earthworks and Roman remains, twenty-five parish churches, and thirteen secular monuments in Huntingdonshire have been scheduled by tlie Roval Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of England as "especially worthy of preservation." Among the secular monuments aro Huntingdon Bridge, a Fourteenth Century structure, Alconburv Bridge of tho Fifteenth Century, Kimbolton Castle, a residence of the Duke of Manchester, St. Neots Bridge, and St. Ives Bridge. Apparently there is no time like the present for building, and those intending to construct houses or other edifices will be doing liotb themselves and the building trade a Service by putting their work in hand at once. That competition is ycry keen among contractors was evidenced recently when tenders were called for the new school for the Sisters of the Mission. The estimated cost of the job was £12,000, but the lowest quotation was only £10,200. This is not surprising, in view of the fact that no less than 29 builders tendered. Messrs I>. Scott and Sons secured the contract. , When so many builders offer their services, the j price accepted is certain to be on bedrock.

A correspondent writes:—At the last meeting or the Canterbury Builders' Association attention was drawn to a statement said to have been made by Sir H. G. Ell that the builders of this City wero not giving boys a chance to learn the trade of a stonemason. Mr Ell is no doubt aware of the restrictions regarding employment of apprentices under the Court awards set out for the guidance of those in the different trades. He has also expressed concern because he finds it difficult to engage stonemasons by the day for tho work on the Port Hills. Builders -would be inclined to ask why they should train boys to become efficient workmen, so that employers can give them work by the day. Surely employers, if they want day work done, should recognise that they also should do their share in training men, or. if they are not able or willing to undertake such training, they should give their work to those who do recognise their responsibility to keep the traditions of training of craftsmanship going. Builders in Christchurch are fully alive to the necessities of their calling and leave no stone unturned in their endeavours to keep up the supply of skilled workmen from amongst the sons of our own citieens.