MULTIPLICITY OF INSPECTORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21167, 27 April 1932, Page 14

MULTIPLICITY OF INSPECTORS.

Sir, —From time to time various bodies and individuals have drawn .attention to the affliction we suffer in. this country from the multiplicity of Government, and local body inspectors. The president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce has performed a public service in drawing the attention of the Government and the Economy Commission to the wide scope there is in this connection for'considerablc saving of expenditure. The general public has really very little idea how far the plague of inspectors has extended over the Dominion. To give some indication may I detail the number of inspectors with whom an architect is likely to come into contact once conditions improve sufficiently to enable some building to take place. It is an interesting thought how all these inspectors are employing their time at the present moment when practically no building is being carried out in the Dominion. In the first place the city engineer has to be consulted regarding the strength of the building; next wc arrange an interview with a building inspector, and having passed this successfully spend a little time with the sanitary . inspector. We next get in touch with ths town planning inspector, and also have the pleasure of a discussion with ?the water works department. If the' buildings are required for the maintenance and sale of foodstuffs the Health Department inspector is the next one on the list. We are liable to strike serious trouble if we overlook the Labour Department regarding the accommodation for staff. Once all these preliminaries 'are arranged we get in touch with the scaffolding inspector and the inspector of explosives also is required to look over the work in the event of jhere being any benzine storage, etc. The fire superintendent does bis part in connection" with fire appliances and fire prevention and last, but not least, the Power Board inspector is ; to be consulted. Granted that all the supervision carried out by. the abovementioned gentlemen- is necessary, surely it will not be unreasonable to suggest that a number of l the positions could easily be amalgamated, resulting in .a considerable saving to the country. No doubt others of your - readers, connected with other industries, both primary and secondary, will'be able to make considerable additions to the .list. It seems to me that the Economy Commission may quite well have a list of all Government. and local body inspectors prepared, and I am certain that if this is dons fliey will find a fertile field for considerable saving. Registered Architect.