FLASHES FROM WELLINGTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18046, 5 January 1927, Page 4

FLASHES FROM WELLINGTON.

(Special to Ihe "Star.') WELLINGTON, January 5. Question For Builder*. In a rCccnt Wellington court cast, dealing with thc use of Western red cedar for weather boards in connection with thc building trade, evidence was given to the effect that on the Pacific Coast of North America building authorities commonly allowed the use of bevelled sidings nailed directly to thc studs. It was known, however, at thc time of thc case, that thc general procedure was contrary to this, and that sheathing must first be applied to thc studs before using bevelled sidings. Inquiries were accordingly instituted by thc State Forest Service to ascertain the practice on thc Pacific Coast, and advice has now been received from the City Engineer, San Francisco, that thc building laws there require the use of sheathing, thc application of bevelled Western red cedar direct to studs not being approved. The method adopted in New Zealand with regard to niatai is to apply it direct to thc studs, and the importers of red cedar claimed that similar construction should be allowed with red cedar, although it is of thinner cress* section than matai. As a matter of fact, it is stated that the poor strength of red cedar and its poor nail-holding qualities should require a much thicker section to be applied if the same strength is to be obtained as in the case of matai. Unemployment. Inquiries made at the Labour Office elicited the information that there are Still 160 men on thc books requiring Work of some kind or another. Filtythree are married and 16 single with dependents. Used S.A. Home ai Base. “It appears that the accused has been using the Army Home as A base from which he comes forth to steal.’’ said Chief-Detective 1 Ward in thc Court to-day, of Leslie Robert Ashfield, a seaman, aged twenty, who admitted the theft of a suitcase containing articles to the value of £35 from a motorcar belonging to Norman Henry Fraser. Chief-Detective Ward said that accused came to the Dominion as a seaman eight months ago and already had served a month for theft and also had been convicted and ordered to come up for sentence on a charge of vagrancy. Of the articles which had been in the suitcase £l3 worth had been sold and not recovered. Mr Riddell, S.M., remanded accused to appear on Friday for sentence. In the meantime the Probation Officer is to report.