AUCKLAND BRICKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12480, 26 January 1904, Page 7

AUCKLAND BRICKS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sii,—The pessimistic letter signed "Brickmaker," in your issue of even date, is very clearly penned by someone interested in making the class of bricks condemned by Auckland architects, and who desires to keep people from investing in the business of making good bricks by the bugbear of over-produc-tion. People making bad bricks naturally desire tv keep others from making good bricks, so long as they have the monopoly, and buyers must take thankfully (or otherwise) their wares. "Brickmaker'' grants "that bricks are scarce and hard to get," and in the same sentence, without drawing breath, lie can "positively assert that there are yards stacking bricks (surplus) at the present time" Mi. Mahoney, again, in your valuable report of the 6th inst., never said, as implied by "Brickmaker," " that he imported bricks from Melbourne at £1 10s 6d per thousand." As a matter of fact, I believe the Melbourne bricks cost about £5 per thousand at using. It is apparent that "Brickmaker" desires to deter investors from putting then money into propositions for producing good bricks, in order that the present any-snrt-of-hrick may continue to be thrust upon builders, contractors, and the public, who have no option but to take what is offering. Already owners and occupiers of brick houses know what rubbish their walls are made of. There are several companies now forming, the promoters of which, seeing timber is going down in quantity and up in price, also with a view of the difference on insurance rates, and the banning of wooden buildings in many towns, who propose making first-class bricks by up-to-date machinery. It is the- business of " Brickmaker" to throw cold water on then efforts, so that the owners of the present antiquated and almost obsolete plants may still continue to thrust by major force their " goods" on to a long-suffering public. Is be afraid that his occupation will be gone, because a better quality of clay and a better system of manufacture is likely to supersede his or his grandfather's methods? Whatever "Brickmaker" may try and lead people to believe, Auckland bricks are at present, with very few exceptions, dear, bad, and scarce. Your most appropriate "Special Interviews" on this matter show that our leading architects aro of this opinion. The disappearance of our timber, perhaps after all for the good of things, considering the many disadvantages of wooden buildings in big cities, must make this brink question a big one. And if we are going to build in brick, let the brick Is good.—l'am, etc., Edwin Euwakds.