OVERHANGING PARAPETS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21088, 13 February 1934, Page 9

OVERHANGING PARAPETS

NEED FOR REMOVAL CITY ENGINEER'S VIEWS The need for the removal of overhanging parapets on buildings was stressed by the City Engineer (Mr A.. R Galbraith) yesterday, in commenting on the statement made by the Mayor of Hastings (Mr G. A. Maddison) to the effect that the building regulations issued by proclamation after the Napier earthquake should be retained in the affected districts and applied, in addition, to the whole ot New Zealand. The application of a building code, he said, would tend to simplify matters, and local conditions could be met by local by-laws. At the present time, Mr Galbraith added, the imposition of building restrictions was left to local authorities, who, in all probability, would not do anything. Even if the local bodies did act the regulations would not be based on common practice, and there would be a tendency to confusion. Building codes, applying to earth-quake-resisting construction, had been introduced in America, where ineir enforcement was a matter for the different states, and in Japan, where the practice was common. Existing Dangers In the event of a severe earthquake the greatest danger would lie in existing buildings. Everywhere within the four belts in Christchurch object lessons on what to avoid in creeling newbuildings could be seen. Every street had overhanging cornices, parapets, and gable wall?, which would obviously collapse in a severe earthquake. . , , , „ If retrospective action cuulcl dc taken, Mr Galbraith added, a great deal of work would be provided for unemployed workers, as well as architects and constructional engineers, who were at present in desperate need of work. By calling the attention of the public to the potential danger in such unnecessary ornamental construction the newspapers- would be doing a distinct service, because the overhanging structures referred to would collapse during a severe earthquake just as certainly as similar parapets did at Napier, with disastrous results.