WORM-EATEN BUILDINGS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 458, 17 March 1909, Page 9

WORM-EATEN BUILDINGS.

Sir, —Thero appeared in your paper a few days ago a long and interesting article on worm-eaten timber houses, tlio fact being substantiated by a well-known local architect. This, sir, is a matter of very gravo importance, and should be reviewed seriously by the city and borough authorities before granting a permit to build. And more particularly should it bo examined into by our insuranco companies and bank officials, for some very important reasons. The architect referred to in the above articlo in your issue of March 6 rightly states that ninety out of evory hundred houses in Wellington aro "worm-eaten." A right good investment and security for our banks and insurance companies to advanco on! It is also stated that "to guard against this timber worm, or to bn free from its depredations, wo must build our houses of jarrali, and to do this wo must be a millionaire," or to "saturate the worm-eaten parts with kerosene"! What n proposition to advanoo in modem architecture, and what a Jjooo, to insurance companies I SureJjs our

architects can find building material beyond tho upbore of worm-eaten timber, jarrah, and kerosene. 1 do not hesitate to say that our architects of Wellington are as progressive and as keen after building material which is beautiful in finish and design, permanent in structure, as any architects in tho world, lint we must bo content for tho present to bavo our pretty homes in wood, which upkeep is enormous and perpetual, and does not givo oven a return of five per cent, on tho outlay, irrespective of the worm, which is riddling our homes and furniture. I would suggest that some of our American architects would advance us their schemo of this now concrete and block stylo of building for private homesteads, etc., whoso up-keep is absolutely nil, tho outlay very nominal, tho designs and conveniences are all that could ho desired, and so much favoured by the hospital- and -health authorities.—l ani, etc., , r , SARTOR RESARTUS. March 15.