BUILDING VALUES

Evening Star, Issue 22308, 7 April 1936, Page 2

BUILDING VALUES

BIG IMPROVEMENT SHOWN LATEST STATISTICAL STATEMENT From the nature of the industry it is obviously impossible to collect returns from all who engage in building operations, and undoubtedly many who only intermittently undertake building contracts or whose operations are small do not furnish returns. Nevertheless, the latest statistical report for the year 1934-35 dealing with building production covers the bulk of work performed throughout New Zealand. Prior to 1927-28 a distinction was made in the form between contracts commenced and finished during the year and those worked on during the year, but not commenced and finished within the same space of time. This classification was discontinued in 1927-28, the total value only of all the work done being asked for, together with estimates of the value of work falling under each of the four headings of work done. Therefore the figures quoted hereunder as being the value of work done during the year represent the total contract price of the work actually commenced and finished. Where contracts were not commenced and finished within the period covered, the value of the work done was assessed as being a proportion of the total contract price equal to the proportion that the total expenditure during the period bears to the total estimated expenditure on the contract. 1934-35. £, . Buildings ... ... 3,560,181 Bridges, wharves, and jetties 110,051 Other construction work ... 114,052 Jobbing and repair work ... 931,172 Total £4,715,456 Comparative totals for previous collections were £2,553,719 for 1933-34, £2,227,488 for 1932-33, £3,073,418 for 1931-32, and £7,216,627 for. 1930-31,

The value of building permits issued in boroughs, town districts, and certain suburban counties and road districts.was £2,742,495 for new work and £901,195 for alterations and additions to existing premises, compared with work amounting tb £3,500.181 and £931,172 respectively _ actually done throughout the Dominion by concerns furnishing returns. • Buildings completed during the term included 2,511 dwellings, valued at £1,637,504, or dn average value of £652, as against £6lO in 1933-34. There were also 322 building premises, 34 blocks of flats, and 804 other buildings completed, the respective average values being £2,867 (£2,108 last year), £1,645 (£1,067), and £591 (£530). .Materials used totalled £3,315,018, an increase of £1,607,286 over last year, or 94.1 per cent. Altogether 6,852 employees were engaged on tho work and were paid £1,177.090, compared with 4,459 and £712,399; The increases represent 2,393 persons and £464,691, or 53.7 and 65.2 per cent. All builders and contractors engaged in a large way or on big contracts, and the majority of others regularly undertaking building and construction work, are included among those from whom returns are received. Special efforts were prosecuted to get in touch with dll builders for the 1934-35 collection, and some small part of the large increase in building activity show r n for 1934-35 is probably due to this factor. The regulations empowering the collection of the statistics define the term “ building and contracting establishlisbment ” as including establishments engaged in the construction or repair of buildings, wharves, jetties, bridges, or other construction work which employ two or more hands, inclusive of working proprietors. The statistics of building and construction do not include the construction of railways, roads, streets, bridges, wharves, aitd buildings, by the Government or by local authorities, except where, in the case of bridges, wharves, buildings, and other similar constructions. the work has been carried out by contract. Particulars are included in respect of a few local authorities which have a special staff engaged on repairing and making alterations to existing structures.