DAMAGE AT GISBORNE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11449, 25 February 1931, Page 2

DAMAGE AT GISBORNE

RECONSTRUCTION STEPS

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Further references Lo damage paused in Gisborne by the .recent earthquakes was contained iji the report by the engineer (Mr. George Darton) presented to the Borough Council meeting last evening. Mr. Darton stated: — ■ ‘'The damage done by the. earthquake to business premises is very considerable and so.far efforts have been confined to removing broken parapets, .making .roots watertight, and effecting temporary repairs so as to make the buildings safe temporarily. Each damaged building is .being' carefully examined and notices served on owners to carry out permanent repairs. This work is proceeding fairly satisfactorily, but the work of restoration must be speeded up or action will require to be taken under Section 297: Municipal. Corporations Act regarding damaged buildings. ■ , „ , . “A very large number of chimneys have'been broken or damaged in the residential area. I find that some of this work lias boon undertukon* by carpenters, laborers, etc. There l* a great danger of the . work being imperfectly. done unless carried-..out by qualified bricklayers' and 5 should a five subsequently occur - through the chi nine v being insufficiently repaired th e insurance companies may dispute payment of claim owing to the f jl “ being caused by a defective cnimney as the result of an earthquake, in due course all these chimneys will be inspected by the building inspector and, if not properly repaired, the work will require to be pulled down. (- It is necessary for it to be clearly understood that.. although no lees are charged, permits must be taken out for re-instatement of earthquake damage. This is not being fully complied with at present, . • ‘The 'question of alteration oi roo construction and the lifiug and strengthening of root principals, the removal of ornaments and parapets, the supporting of suspended verandahs and other measures for the pro teclion of buildings ITom tho .effect of earthquakes will he dealt with yn a further report, as , soen as. it is nossiblo to prepare the data. In the nieantimu, we are on with the most pressing repairs. . La his report on the waterworks, for the fortnight ended (on J'ebruafy 10, the engineer iiiciuucd the■ following paragraph : .. . ' “The recent earthquake did considerable damage to our water reticulation. AVe had during the. fortnight 39 leaks in town, of which -1 were in lt-usssill street. -The earthquake did not affect the spiral pipes.’’