BUILDING SUPPLIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26485, 12 June 1947, Page 6

BUILDING SUPPLIES

SHORTAGE PERSISTS SOME LINES EASIER NEW BRICK KILN PROSPECTS The supply of building materials in Dunedin, with the exception of some lines of hardware, is not.improving. Inquiries made by the Daily Times yesterday showed that timber supplies will be short for an indefinite period because the quota of timber allocated to Dunedin from West Coast mills is not being received. The trade is months behind its quota from this source. Supplies of reinforcing steel are smaller than ever, owing principally to a lack of shipping space for the raw materials, which are available in Australia. The position over all appears to be aggravated by the fact that the demand has increased about 100 per cent hi recent years, although in many cases the quantities of materials available are equal to those in prewar years. More Fibrous Plaster The production of fibrous plaster has increased, with the result that supplies are easier to obtain, and other forms of wallboard are available at intervals. Good shipments of imported hardboards have arrived in the Dominion, and further supplies are expected. Builders and cabinet-makers’ hardware and fittings are in fair supply, but casement stays and wire for making nails are short. Limited quantities of screws are expected to arrive from Canada, but they are in even shorter supply than nails. Glass is almost impossible to procure. The position regarding plumbing supplies is a source of concern. Lead and lead pipe, and also' galvanised pipe, are difficult to obtain. Bituminous roofing is unobtainable owing to a shortage of imported felt for its manufacture in New Zealand. Brick Works at Capacity

The supply of bricks is not likely to improve until the new kiln at Fairfield is established and comes into production. The manager of the works said yesterday that the present kiln is working to capacity, but the new one is not likely to be producing until later in the year. Endeavours are being made to expedite its establishment.

Roof tiles are in slightly better supply than formerly, and the position is likely to improve. Some restriction in the choice of colours still operates owing to difficulty in obtaining the materials.