USELESS PARAPETS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 60, 12 March 1934, Page 9

USELESS PARAPETS

SUGGESTED REGULATION

Two correspondents have written to "The Post" urging that steps should be taken by the City Council at- once to put under way a survey whereby owners of buildings from which danger may be espected in the event of earthquake may be advised to have their properties attended to, and that the council should without delay give effect to recommendations made in respect of the Town Hall. The tower and portico of the Town. Hall (writes "Wellington Mother") were condemned by a special committee of architects. Should a disaster be experienced, she says, the claims for compensation would amount to considerably ntore than the sum necessary for the speedy removal of the danger. , "Wellingtonian" says that apart' from removing the parapets from two of its buildings the City Council has . done nothing to remedy a dangerous situation. , , A number of private owners of pro-perty-have strengthened buildings and have removed overhanging masonry and ornamental w^ork. "Wellingtonian" .-expresses the opinion that the council shonld now enact a bylaw requiring thei removal within a reasonable time of parapets Or overhanging ledges that are dangerous to the public At the present time, he. contends, a. minor earthquake, not severe enough to- bring down buildings themselves, would possibly be disastrous to pedestrians and motor-car and tramcar passengers through the fall of useless masonry from the tops of city; buildings.