A DANGEROUS SHELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14142, 18 August 1909, Page 7

A DANGEROUS SHELL.

CLEARING AWAY THE DEBRIS.

The municipal authorities yesterday caused an examination to be made of the front and interior walls and pillars of the building, as a result of which certain portions of the shell were condemned as unsafe, and instructions were issued that the two upper storeys of the frontage should be pulled down as soon as possible, as being the most dangerous. The owner's representatives at once contracted with Mr. J. J. Holland to carry out the work, and towards evening the hazardous undertaking was commenced. A rope was fastened around the highest pediment and tied back to a girder inside, thus providing a "steadying power to make all safe for the night. This was all that could be done for the time being. This morning scaffolding will be erected, from .which the work of demolition will be proceeded with, the front wall being the first to be attacked. The contractor intends to take the brickwork and masonry down piecemeal, and given fine weather ; anticipates ■ having "...a good deal'of the work done to-day. The front wall having been taken down as far as the-' cornice, attention ' will be turned; to the side and cross Walls, several of which arc in a dangerous state. The roadway in front of the building was still fenced off last night, and lit up to avoid accident.. A watchful eye was also kept upon the wall both by "the firemen oh guard and by the constables on duty in the vicinity. '.

It is not thought that it will be necessary to interfere with.the running of the trams and the ordinary vehicular traffic during to-day's operations. An arrangement has, however, been come to between the contractor and the Tramways Company for the cars to cease traversing Queen-street at once should there be any imminent risk of the wall coming over on to the street.