EARTHQUAKE LESSONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22212, 15 March 1934, Page 8

EARTHQUAKE LESSONS

With at least three serious earthquakes, attended by loss of life and widespread destruction of buildings, recorded in the space of a few years, the people of New Zealand have no excuse for neglecting to take every precaution to minimise the danger from possible future seismic disturbances. That the Government and the local authorities in the areas most subject to earthquakes are alive to the necessity for introducing effective measures to this end is indicated in recent statements. The first step which must be considered, after a serious earthquake such as that recently experienced in the north, is undoubtedly the relief of sufferers. Two Ministers of the Crown have already visited the scene, and expert surveys of the damage aro being made. Much of the work of rehabilitation is, of necessity, of an urgent nature, yet it is to be hoped that it will not be undertaken until informed advice has been obtained. The question Avhich local authorities in districts in the earthquake zone must first consider is whether it is advisable to permit any rebuilding, except of a temporary nature, until a suitable building code lias been framed. Even the reconstruction of brick chimneys, a work which naturally cannot be long delayed, is a matter requiring thought. It is significant, for example, that in Santa Barbara, in California, where 7000 chimneys were cracked or destroyed in an earthquake in 1925, the civic authorities deemed it desirable to provide in a new building code that chimneys should be constructed only of metal flue. The matter may appear 1 at first view trivial—it is only one of many to which an earthquake draws attention—yet it is one that should not be neglected in order that" the temporary convenience of earthquake suffci-crs should be met by the reconstruction of chimneys with Government assistance, as is presently proposed. The Minister of Education has shown his recognition of the need for precaution in this direction in his statement that the elimination of brick chimneys in schools is under consideration; In the framing of building regulations generally to obviate as far as possible damage to property and loss of life in earthquakes, the-Govern-ment in New Zealand litis proceeded very The very stringent regulations drafted by experts after the Hawke's Bay disaster have never been accepted, and it is stated that there is no intention of adopting them. It is reassuring, however, to know that a committee is even now engaged in the work, of drawing up a set of model regulations which are to be applied to all cities and boroughs in areas liable to earthquakes. The attitude of the Government, as expressed.by the Prime Minister, is that the responsibility for the administration of building regulations should belong io local authorities. This is a reasonable view, so long as the Government is prepared to acknowledge its responsibility of assuring that the local bodies undertake this work.

In a matter 1 which must be regarded as of national importance, bearing not only on the security of life and property throughout a considerable part of the community, but touching the public 'Exchequer, it.is necessary that the Government should take a forward part in securing uniformity of building regulations, and the adoption of such other precautions as are deemed expedient to prevent earthquake loss. The creation in all'areas subject to ,earthquake risk of an emergency relief organisation, which might be brought swiftly into operation in the event of trouble, is but one of the . questions upon which the Government should be prepared to advise and assist local" authorities!