DANGEROUS BUILDINGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21883, 20 August 1934, Page 10

DANGEROUS BUILDINGS

REMOVAL OF ORNAMENTS SUBSIDY NOT AVAILABLE The refusal of the Unemployment Board to extend its building subsidy scliemo to cover work done in making buildings safer in earthquakes was criticised at u meeting of the Christchurch branch of the Town Planning Institute of New Zealand last week. The secretary of the institute wrote stating that he had interviewed Mr. A\ . Bromley, 'deputy-chairman of the Unemployment Board, who stated very definitely that tho board would not grant any subsidy for tho removal of ornaments, parapets and overhanging parts of buildings which would be dangerous in an earthquake. Mr. Bromley had stated that the subsidy was not intended for commercial buildings. Mr. Broinlev said ho was quite satisfied that that form of work would go on in any case, and did not need any stiniuliis. ~ "This is a pretty drastic damper, said the chairman, Mr. A. It. Galbiaith, "but i do not think we should relax our efforts as an institute and as individuals to carry out this necessary work. There is no doubt that this work should be done as soon as possible. In ;i violent earthquake the greatest danger is from existing buildings." Mr. E. H. Andrews said lie must join issue with the board in its statement that the work would bo done in any case. Public bodies were doing it, but it would not be done by private persons unless there was some inducement or encouragement. It was resolved: "That tho institute keep the matter before it and take action at the first i'avoiirable opportunity."-