EARTHQUAKES AND BUILDING REGULATIONS.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 150, 29 June 1881, Page 3

EARTHQUAKES AND BUILDING REGULATIONS.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE EVENING POST. Sir— As was to be expected, the note has been sounded BUggesting a revision of the building regulations. Others will follow, but it is to be hoped with the result only of increased vigilance and insistance that the regulations be strictly carried out. Let the most timid carefully consider what little damage the earthquake of Sunday has caused in our midst to ths faithfully erected brick constructions — absolutely none. The fall of plastered ceilings is more likely to occur in a yielding wooden building than in ene of brick or concrete construction, materials and workmanship being good in each case. The shaking up we get once in a decade or so is as naught compared to the hourly dread and danger of fire. If increased safety b« demanded, it is possible to construct buildings or lofty chimneys with what may be teroied a seismatio joint between walla and fonndations proper. Tho fall of a chimney bnilt of bricks and mud in lien of lime mortar, also of ceilings where sawn laths are used, together with inferior hair lime and tame, or of inadequate proportions, I take no heed of — it is inevitable without earthquakes. The Council may properly insist that tho buildings be more carefully supervised by its officers, and cot make the by-laws one of mere profit. Buildings are continually going up built in defiance of the Council and its laws. Rather than weaken tho existing regulations, I would gladly see clauses inserted giving powor to th<* Council to deal with matters affecting tho quality of tho materials used — it would bo a wholesomo deterrent to those building for speculation nd profit, regardless of consequences. I know of buildings recently erected that, in the event of their taking fire, would bo dangerous for firemen to approach; they were constructed without supervision, and heedless of the city bye-laws. I am, Ac , Nicholas Maechant, C.E. 27th June.