EARTHQUAKE RISK

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20806, 16 March 1933, Page 6

EARTHQUAKE RISK

♦ BUILDING CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS. CASE FOR LEGISLATION. The recent earthquakes in California and Japan were referred to by Mr A. B. Galbraith, chairman of the Ohristchureh branch of the Town Planning Institute, at the meeting of the branch last night, to emphasise the necessity for the building construction regulations being enacted with as little delay. as possible. Mr Galbraith detailed the action taken recently to induce the Government to go on with the Building Construction Bill last session, including the representations made to the Prime Minister by the Mayor of Chrislchurch (Mr 1). G. Sullivan, M.P.) in conveying the resolution of the recent conference of the Society of Civil Engineers of New Zealand, urging that the regulations drawn up after the Hawke's Bay earthquake by a special committee oe put into effect as soon as possible. Consideration had been promised, Mr Galbraith said, but owing 1o the pressure of financial matters the session had closed without; anything having been done regarding the Building Construction Bill. Need for Preparedness. The subject was peculiarly interesting in view of the very serious earthquakes that had recently occurred around the Pacific—those in Japan and California, lie did not. wish to be alarmist, but at the time of the Murchison earthquake fhey had an alarming experience in Christchurch. There was no doubt that it would be only reasonable to be prepared for a state, of public emergency following on an earthquake. Jt had been interesting to note, in connexion with the Los Angeles earthquake, that tho authorities had been quite unprepared, and that, of course, placed them at a very considerable disadvantage. Everything had been done as far as possible to bring the recommendations regarding earthquake resisting construction before the Government and to induce the Government to give them the effect of law. There was an alternative, and that was that municipal bylaws could be amended and special regulations incorporated; but it would be better if the recommendations he had referred to were given legislative effect, as then they would automatically apply throughout the Dominion. If each local body had its own by-laws there would be serious differences in procedure and practice. From that, point of view it was obviously better for the Government to bring in legislation than for the local bodies to take up the question separate! v.