ARCHITECTS’ CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 1 March 1921, Page 36

ARCHITECTS’ CONFERENCE

CONTRACTS AND CONDITION'S. IMPORTED AND LOCAL TIMBERS. NAPIER, February 23. At the ( :unci! of the institute oi Architects a communication was received from the Master Builders’ Federation, asking for a conference with the representative.!; of the institute for the purpose of a revision of the general conditions of contracts, which have been in force for the last 10 years. Mr L. D. Coombs moved, and H. Mandeno seconded—“ That the Government be requested to require counties and boroughs to frame suitable building by-laws.” The mover said the buildings in Otago did not seem to be under any control. One saw all sorts of things that were really shocking. *ln Central Otago he had seen scrim and paper stretched across studs without any lining, with seven-foot spans between the floor joists, and bad timber used. An amendment was moi ed by Mr I. F. Greenish —“That the council take into consideration the advisabilitv of requesting the Government to bring in legislation to standardise the constructional by-laws of various municipalities.”—This was lost, and the motion carried. It was also resolved that all local bodies be written to requesting them to frame building by-la wo, which will provide minimum requirements, consistent with good building. Mr H. Davis, on behalf of the Hawke’s Bay branch, moved that the incoming council be recommended to urge the Government to limit the export of native timbers, while local markets are in need, and remove tho Customs duties on imported timber, and make the railway freights the same on foreign as on local timbers. The motion was seconded by Mr .T. Greig and carried. Explaining tho position, Mr Davis said there was a duty of 3s per 1000 feet on imported timber, and the railway freight was 50 per cent, more than that charged on local timbers. If the Government allowed timbers, such as Oregon pine, to be imported free of duty, and placed on the market at the same rates as local timbers, it would greatly relieve the building shortage. The council for the ensuing year was do blared elected as follows:—All past presidents of institute; chairman of district branches—Messrs B. C. Chilwell (Auckland}. J. H. Burr (Hawke’s Bay), T. H. Battle (Wanganui), Wm. Crichton (Wellington). E. J. Greenstreet (Canterbury). L. D. Coombs (Otago). and C. J. Broderick Sixteen persons were elected by the general body of members in the several districts —Messrs Nash, Savage. Gummer. Morran, (Auckland), Greig and Davie" Hawke’s Bay), Ford. Page, and Munnings (Wellington). Hart, Penling, and Murray (Canterbury). Hooper and Mandeno (Otago), and F. R. Wilson (Southland), together with the honorary secretary and honorary treasurer, when elected.