EXPENSIVE RELIEF FROM GALVANISED IRON SHORTAGE

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1948, Page 7

EXPENSIVE RELIEF FROM GALVANISED IRON SHORTAGE

“It will certainly afford some relief to home builders, but it will be an expensive relief, said a Greymouth plumber today when asked to comment upon the announcement made last night by the Minister of Works (Mr Semple) that the building control regulations prohibiting the use of copper and aluminium spouting and downpipes have been relaxed. The plumber pointed out that 24 gauge galvanised iron spouting, which was now unprocurable, cost lid per foot and the equivalent copper spouting cost about 4s a foot, or roughly four times as much. As there was approximately 80 feet of spouting in the average bungalow, it meant an increase of over £l2 in the net cost of the spouting alone. The position in regard to down•pipes was about the same. As an average, galvanised iron downpipe cost Is a foot and in copper the price was 4s a foot. The price of copper sheet had climbed steadily and the retail price of a 6ft. by 3ft. sheet was approximately £5 at the present time. It did appear, however, that stocks in New Zealand were ample, whereas galvanised iron had practically disappeared from the market. “there is one big advantage' in the use of copper, however,” added the plumber. “Copper spouting and downpipes make practically a lifelime job and there is no need to worry about periodic replacements as are necessary with galvanised iron.” Minister's Announcement A Press Association message from Wellington states that the regulations prohibiting the use of copper and aluminium spouting and downpipes were relaxed by a notice gazetted last evening. The Minister of Works (Mr R. Semple) said the new regulations permitted the use of either copper or aluminium for spouting and downpiping for housing, both for repairs and for new work. The use of copper had not been permitted for such purposes since early in the war, but in recent, months the supply had improved considerably and, with increasing supplies of aluminium sheets arriving from the United Kingdom, it was possible to allow both materials to be used for housing. Mr Semple said he felt that with the revocation of this particular control difficulty in providing suitable spouting for houses would, be overcome. The galvanised iron position continued to be difficult, in fact critical, continued the Minister. He regretted it was impossible to include galxTuiisccl iron p,€tDorFilly tor spouting. Its use would continue to be restricted to essential repairs to the existing iron spouting, ridging, and downpipes of dwellings only.