Probation staff may quit building

Press, 6 August 1976, Page 3

Probation staff may quit building

PA Auckland' Probation officers yesterday} threatened to move out, of their offices in High' Street, Auckland, unless! they receive a written, assurance from an inde-l pendent surveyor that! the building is safe. The ultimatum was issued after a staff meeting 1 yesterday morning be- ! cause a typist from the; department was hit by! falling bricks and mor-} tar while she waited for; a lift home after work! on Tuesday. ■ The Public Service Associ-J ation representative for' ; the probation office (Mr! .1. Metherell) said that! I staff were “most con-' cerned” about the build-} } ing.

“There have been a number of approaches made through our officers’ association about the condition of the building," said Mr Metherell. “Cracks started appearing in various places} about 1972. I think the! building is starting to | give up the ghost.” Mr Metherell said that! officers had cancelled! late night reporting last night because of the state of the building. About 50 staff are involved in the threatened walk- [ out. Thirty are proba-; tion officers.

> The injured woman, who is , three months pregnant, was in a satisfactory condition in Middlemore , Hospital yesterday morning. • She suffered a broken ankle and some cuts and bruises. The district architect for the } Ministry of Works (Mr W. Millar) said that ■ scaffolding was being erected to ensure that! [ no more debris fell. I “There will be an inspection} of the parapet once the scaffolding goes up, and; a decision will then be j ■ made whether to take it , down,” said Mr Millar.; } “I think it will probably; I have to come down.” } iHigh Street has been closed} to traffic, and pedest-! rians must pass on the! far side of the street. I The main entrance to the; probation office has been closed, and the only access to the building is through the Magistrates’ Court buildings in Kitchener Street.