COST OF SCHOOLS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11702, 14 December 1923, Page 3

COST OF SCHOOLS

THE BUILDING POLICY PERMANENT MAINTENANCE STAFF. ECONOMY AND UTILITY. The committee Which was appointed by the Wellington Education Board to report on tho question ol' building costs recommended to Wednesday’s meeting of the boird that it approved of the proposals of the architects’ conference as oet out in its report under the, heading of "Direct Labour v. Tender," in the following terms:— “That boards should have their own maintenance staffs capable of doing all classes of work. That remodelling and 6innll additions be carried out, as far as possible, by the boards’ staffs. That while it is generally recognised that savings in all building work would be made if canriod out by day labour, it is considered that: (a) through excess of work or (b) through peculiarities of local conditions, it may be desirable and economical for work to be undertaken by contract, but that when tenders are too high the architects will recommend the board to undertake such work by day labour. That in general a board’s staff, or builders who specialise in school buildings, give the best value. That when boards' staffs execute work, the architects should be responsible for the ordering of all materials." "This provides," the committee's report continues, “for the execution of maintenance work and small structures by permanent staffs, leaving it open, as being more profitable, to execute the larger works by contract, except where s low enough tender cannot bo obtained, when alternatively such works should he erected/ under the board's direct supervision. With regard to corridors being in certain schools replaced by verandahs where cloakrooms are provided, it is strongly of opinion that the climate conditions of the Wellington district do not Justify adoption of the proposal as far «s the Wellington district is concerned. “As regards foundations, it is of opinion that concrete base amt piles should be used in 01 1 sandy soils, and in all buildings where shingle is readily available. It considers the proposed reduction of stud in residences from 10ft to 9ft to be lnadvisablo. As regards fences, it appears that an ultimate gain is secured by the erection of permanent fences, say, of concrete for the larger schools. It considers that there is much to be said’ in tho favour of the use of brick or concrete as reducing permanent maintenance and insurance charges and risk of fire.

"It approves generally of the principle of economy in construction, but is of opinion that neither quality nor efficiency should be sacrificed to merely temporary saving. Nor docs it consider it right that taste in design should be absolutely sacrificed to mere cheap utility." The report was adopted.