dangerous parapets

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 29, 28 October 1932, Page 5

dangerous parapets

Removals in City Area EARTHQUAKE DANGERS Gradually the heavy parapets from city buildings are being removed as a safety precaution against damage by earthquake. Among the buildings from which parapets have been removed are those of J. Hott Limited and A. 8. Paterson and Co. in Jervois Quay. The colossal weight of the parapet on the city engineers block, on the corner of Mercer Street and Jervois Quay, is already partly reduced, and the alteration and modernising of Janies Smith Limited s premises will provide for considerably less top hamper. The balustradcd parapet of the Central Fire Brigade Station, reported some weeks ago to be in a bad condition, has not been removed, possibly owing to the differences bettv een the City Council and the Fire Board over the tenancy of the site. The Town Hall, with its massive clock ■_ tower and balustradcd parapet, remains intact, though plans for extensive alterations of the tower and main entrance portico have been approved by the council. _ There are many buildings m the city constructed in the ornate style of thirty years ago which are carrying a lot of superfluous masonry above the roof line, but the removal of such top hamper is a costly job which may not be considered as justifiable expenditure under prevailing conditions.