Work suspect

Press, 30 August 1977, Page 3

Work suspect

Leaks in the new Norman Kirk Courts urban renewal housing project were examples of a suspect general standard of workmanship in New Zealand, a Christchurch councillor said yesterday. “We would be producing the worst plumbers in the world, in my view,” said Cr Bruce Britten, and the counI try was also falling behind iin the building trades in general. The GO housing units are still under contractor’s main-, tenance, and water problems have been referred to the builder. Occupants will have to wait for the next strong southerly rain to see if repairs have succeeded.

Problems were caused by doors facing south. Extra screen doors might be needed in the worst cases. A council report, called the problem “water ingress,” a term which amused Cr Maurice Carter. He assumed it meant that the place “is leaking like a sieve.” Problems should have been expected, Cr Carter said, because of “inherent design defects” pointed out before completion, including doors facing south. But Cr Brian Alderdice said the grouping of different ages in the project! was excellent, and the* design concept was good. Residents were pleased with! the village atmosphere.