BUILDING REVIVAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22139, 19 June 1935, Page 7

BUILDING REVIVAL

AID TO ALLIED TKADES BRICK PROSPECTS BRIGHT TIMBER INDUSTRY EXPANDS LARGER SALES OF CEMENT The marked improvement in the building industry in Xew Zealand this year has given new life to the allied trades, brick, timber and cement, all of which report increased sales and wider activity. This improvement is gratifying, as the building industry is a sound barometer of economic conditions, and is a substantial employer of labour and capital, directly and indirectly. An indication of more favourable conditions in the brick trade W3S given in the report of Consolidated Brick and Pipe Investments, Limited, which was published yesterday. The report stated that prospects appeared particularly bright, and that average sales for the past two months were 47 per cent higher than last year. The timber mills in the Auckland area are again experiencing a taste of healthy and expanding trade conditions. Turnover for the local trade ha 3 improved considerably, it is stated, and sales are easily 30 to 40 per cent above those last year. Sales direct from the King Country mills are also much higher, and it is reported that one group experienced in 3lay the best month's trading for ten years.

During the first four months of this rear, imports of sawn timber amounted to 5,500,000 superficial feet, compared with 3,000,000 ft. in the same period last year, a rise of over 80 per cent. The value in New Zealand currency was £68,014, against £41,285. Other timber imported was valued at £71,914, against £26.297. Exports of timber totalled 12,000,000 ft., compared with 8,000,000 ft., an improvement of 50 per cent, and the value was £110,813, against £74,717. Thus the total timber trade, outward and inward, for the four months was £250,741, an increase of £108,442, or 75 per cent. The cement industry, another of the allied trades, has also benefited from the revival in building. Sales of cement for building purposes in the Auckland district have increased, the turnover being higher month for month as compared with the previous year. The importance of the building industry in the economic life of a country is fully recognised in England, where there has been remarkable expansion in construction work. It is claimed that this industry has been largely responsible for Great Britain's recovery in the past year.

WORK FOR ARCHITECTS NEW SHIPPING OFFICES A marked increase in the demand for their services was reported by a number of Auckland architects yesterday. Although much of the work on hand was of a small nature and not especially lucrative, a generally brighter tone was indicated, which was in contrast to that of a few months ago. "The definite shortage of houses in Auckland and the suburbs," stated an architect, "has been responsible for a fair proportion of the new activity, although few larger structures appear to be contemplated. With the. present demand for renting propositions bringing in 30s a week and under, there is little encouragement for the prospective landlord to build. On the other hand, many owners seem to be prepared to make alterations to suit their prospective tenants and this has created a fair volume of work." The removal of the shipping offices of Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane is probably one of the largest -works of its kind at present in contemplation, though the rebuilt premises of two Queen Street firms are already well advanced. The new shipping offices in question-will absorb three shop frontages in Endean's Buildings, facing the Queen's Wharf gates, and will help to improve the appearance of the approach to the city from the waterfront. A case of a mild boom in one industry having a beneficial effect elsewhere is to be seen in the demand for plans for new garages as a result or the recent extensive sale of cars, particularly of the larger models. Again,, the steady increase in the small secondary industries has resulted in a certain demand for extensions to local factories. That the present trend was not confined to the city was indicated by on® of the leading building societies, which reported a strong demand for its loans over the past few months, more especially for buildings in the country towns.