USE OF SCRIM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 1 August 1925, Page 8

USE OF SCRIM.

AUCKLAND’S PRO'HIBITIVE BY-LAW. EFFECT ON MILLING INDUSTRY. “Tb scrim or not to scrim” is a question now receiving attention iiom builders and others interested in the housing question at Auckland. The latest addition to the city by-laws covering buildings, and which prohibits the use of scrim oil walls, is not being svjell deceived by mtfles, ana tlie opinion is expressed that it will afreet tlie timber milling industry. The bylaw, which came into force on July 1, followed a discussion at a conference convened by the Government to chicfiy consider the high cost of building. In order to relieve- the cost to som e extent. the conference recommended all local bodies to reduce the size of studs or sc an tilings- from Sin. by 2in. to 3m. by liin and 3in. by ljin. In the course -of the discussion delegates, on the score of health, touched upon the advisability of dispensing with tlie use of scrim. No recommendation was passed, but it was generally admitted that the objections of painters, who pointed out tlie' dangers from dust aerms and all kinds of vermin wliicli became secreted between wall paper and lining boards and lived in scrim; were well founded. However, if the opinion of millers is to mean anything, the latest city by-law is going to have a serious effect on the industry with which they are concerned.

A man with a complete grasp of the timber milling industry, but who is not ah owner or shareholder iii any mill', stated that he thought the' reducing of the size of the:' scantlings must weaken any house. At least 15 per c-eiit. of all 1 logs cut at tlie mills was -shaky heart, and this was chiefly used in rough- lining. There was no other channel whereby shaky timber could b e used 1 up; but now that scrim was not permissible it simply meant that all this timber would be sawn up and used as firewood. One could not paper over shaky boards, because the paper would break wherever a crack appeared.

“Apparently the Gity Council, biy prohibiting rough lining, has given « monopoly to imported wall boards, was tlie opinion of another timber miller. Another effect the by-law will have is to throw- a. number of men out of employment.

A painter when asked his opinion said; that he considered the prohibition of scrim in houses should have been iiV force years ago. He stated that scrim was not used in Christchurch.