MOULD PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25179, 17 April 1945, Page 6

MOULD PROBLEM

SEBIOUS IN AUCKLAND STATE HOMES AFFECTED "Mould in houses is (iertainly a very serious problem in New Zealand," said Mr J. L. Mandeno, of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, at a gathering of representatives of building trades in Auckland to meet the director of the Commonwealth experimental building station, Mr D. V. Isaacs, and the officer in charge of building materials in Australia, Mr I. Langhuuls, "It is some time since a survey of State houses throughout the country revealed that about 50 per cent of them were affected by this mould," said Mr Mandeno. He pointed out that many houses were affected, but it had been easier to discover the incidence in State houses than in private homes. The mould appeared first of all on the ceiling in the form of black spots and there were some ceilings in Wellington which were almost completely black with it, said Mr Mandeno. Tho mould then spread down the walls. It had cost the Government large sums to repair State houses which were affected and new plastering had to be done in some cases. Research by the Plant Diseases Division of the* Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, at Mount Albert, revealed that the mould did not grow on clean plaster board, but only when distemper or paste had been used. As a temporary measure a mixture was being used in the distemper or paste, but this did not get to the root of the trouble, which seemed to be caused through the condensation of moisture 011 the walls. Further research work would be done this winter. A number of builders present expressed the opinion that the mould was due to inadequate ventilation and they mentioned that in the older type of houses which were provided with ceiling and other ventilators mould had not appeared. In modern houses with plaster board linings there was 110 ventilation apart from windows. Mr Mandeno remarked that some State houses were now being provided with ventilators, but tenants usually threw a sack over them. In Australia, where the regulations required that wall ventilators must be provided, mould wag very rare, said Mr Langlands. THEFT OF CLOTHING OFFENCES BY WOMAN DETENTION FOR A YEAR "You have been given an opportunity in the last year and it seems to me that you want some control and discipline," said Mr J. Morling, S.M., yesterday, in sentencing Lois Hilda Pinchen, aged 25, a machinist", to one year's reformative detention. Pinchen pleaded guilty to five charges of theft of clothing from ! city clothing stores and fi;om a Helens- ! vilie shop. A further charge of not reporting while 011 probation was also admitted. The various thefts, which took place between March 19 and April 3, were outlined by Detective-Sergeant Aplin. who said that all the property had since been recovered, but that it was now in a second-hand condition. Accused had two previous convictions, the last being on May 22 of last year, when she was admitted to probation for 12 months. SCANDAL ALLEGED LIQUOR AT A CLUB A MEMBER'S EVIDENCE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Monday "The worst licensing scandal there ever has been in New Zealand and one that has been continuing for many years," was the description given to the conduct of the Wellington Working Men's Club and Literary Institute by one of its members, Mr H. H. Thompson, insurance agent, in evidence before the Licensing Commission. He said it was a specific instance of what could happen to a chartered club under the existing law. The witness said he could give direct,-first-hand evidence of the daily and huge number of breaches of the Licensing Act. In spite of its being one of the oldest working men's clubs in New Zealand, it had a smaller membership, in proportion to the size of the city, than any other similar club in New Zealand. "Many desirable men will not join and a good many who have been members leave, as they regard it as a disreputable concern to be connected with," he said. "It is common knowledge to most members and to many of the public that it does a very large after-hour and Sunday trade. Almost every night, 50 or more men are drinking on the premises for hours. Liquor is sold after hours although the bar is dlosed." Chartered clubs generally should be subject to closer police supervision, said witness. At present a police sergeant and a constable could walk into any hotel ,at any hour, but only a police inspector had the same powers in respect of a club. The chairman, Mr Justice Smith, said a copy of witness' evidence would be referred to the club. MAORI MEETING HALL CONSTRUCTION AT OTIRIA (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Monday As a memorial to the men—both Maori and pakeha—who have fallen in this war, a carved Maori meeting hall is being erected at Otiria and already the work is well ahead. When completed, the hall will be comparable with that erected at Waitangi. It will be ■'erected on the Porowini marae, near the railway station at Otiria. A sawmill for the cutting of the timber is in operation. It is expected that this mill will later be employed cutting timber for Maori housing in the district. The work is , being controlled by a committee of Maoris, with Canon W. H. Keretene at the head_, and assisting is Mr W. Cooper, Maori land consolidation officer, and an authority on native arts and crafts. The carving for the meeting hall will be executed by Mr Era Miha, of Whakatane, a wellknown Maori carver.