A TRADE BOOM.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20224, 30 April 1931, Page 4

A TRADE BOOM.

REBUILDING OF NAPIER. FORTY-EIGHT NEW STRUCTURES Building operations in Napier have reached a "boom" stago. Never before have the municipal authorities boen called upon to issue so many permits; never before have so many builders, plumbers, drainlayers, and bricklayers found such an abundance of work; and possibly no centre in the Dominion has ever seen so many buildings spring up in tho short space of two months. An illustration of the amount of work that has been undertaken since the earthquake is seen in a study of tho records of the municipal reconstruction department. Since February 14th, no fewer than 106 building permits, the value of which exceeds £40,000, have been issued. Only four of those 106 permits exceed £IOOO in value, and over 40 of them are below £2OO. Of tho permits issued, 48 have been for new buildings, while tho remainder have been for alterations, additions, or extensive repairs. The total number does not include such work as placing buildings back on their foundation blocks and minor repairs. Keen Competition. Competition among building contractors is exceedingly keen. The list of builders operating in Napier before the earthquake—many were finding it difficult to secure sufficient work to keep them going—has been swelled by the arrival of representatives of a number of contractors from other centres, accompanied in some eases by permanently engaged workmen. The results ha.vo been beneficial, for, while sufficient work is being found to keep all contractors busy—and it must be remembered that the city has not yet started on the enormous programme of permanent rebuilding that is to come—the increased competition has ensured speedy completion of contracts and thorough workmanship. Almost without exception, the temporary premises in which business and professional firms have re-established themselves are sufficiently substantial to be of service for many years. A period of even greater activity than has been experienced during the past few weeks is expected within the coming month, for householders by the hundred are taking advantage of the availability of loans up to £IOO, free of interest, from the relief funds, for the reconditioning of their homos. In the six days that have elapsed since the announcement by the Chief Commissioner, Mr J. S. Barton, that such advances would be available, over 1000 owners have secured forms on which, to make applications. TOP HAMPER. learning prom the EARTHQUAKE. Wellington buildings are now shedding any superfluous top weight which can be spared without impairing their efficiency. The 'Jity Engineer, Mr G. A. Hart, who Las spent a good deal of time in tho Hawke's Bay district since the earthquake, and has seen the effect of a big shake upoij buildings, is strongly advising owners of city buildings to take steps to get rid of useless top-weight such as heavy parapets and ornamental elaborations which only make for weight and which in an earthquake increase the dancer of damage. h Several ownors of buildings have been convinced that there is a good deal in the argument against useless top-weight and are taking steps to <r P t rid of it. w "I think the earthquake is going .to have an effect upon the architecture of the future, said the Mavor Mr a a Troup. "Theie will be no p/ovision for heavy parapets and ornamental balustrades Anyone who has been to Napier will realise that that must be eo. If there is any construction above the roof line it will be light. Another thing I noticed m Napier was the great damage done to cantilever verandas, and by them. They seemed to have been twisted and bent and torn