H—44A

cases minor local amendments have been made to the Standard Code, for the most part -to bring its provisions into line with town planning schemes already in operation. The local authorities which have adopted the Standard Code are as follows Local Authorities which have adopted Parts I-IX—- * Auckland. Hastings. *Nelson.. *Tauranga. Balclutha. Inglewood. New Lynn Te Aroha. Birkenhead. Invercargill. *Newmarket. Taradale. Blenheim. * Lower Hutt. New Plymouth. Te Kuiti. Bluff. * Master ton. *Otahuhu. Thames. Carterton. *Matamata. Otaki. *Timaru. Dannevirke. *Mosgiel. Papakura. Upper Hutt. Devonport. *Motueka. Raetihi. Waipukurau. Feilding. Mount Albert. Rangiora. Wanganui. Gisborne. Mount Maunganui. Takapuna. * Wellington. Greymouth. Napier. Taumarunui. Whangarei. Hamilton. Local Authorities which have adopted Parts I- VI — Christchurch. Gore. Picton. Dargaville. *Northcote. Riccarton. Ellerslie. Onehunga. Stratford. * Subject to minor local amendments. Masonry Buildings of Bearing Wall Construction. —The draft revision of Section IV of the original Standard Model Building By-law has now been reviewed, and the revision will be issued as a part of the Standard Code of Building By-laws as soon as investigations have been completed concerning the minimum length of solid wall which must be provided between a corner and an opening, in order to ensure safe construction. Further attention has also been given to various forms of unit masonry construction, in which there is a growing interest. This type of construction is being increasingly developed as an alternative to, and a means of supplementing, light timber construction. A supplement to the Standard Code of Building By-laws, which established requirements, under which hollow concrete-block construction would be deemed to conform to the Standard Code, has been revised to permit the use of blocks with a lower compressive strength. This was decided after full investigation, consequent upon comments received from affected interests, which showed that the lower compressive strength would afford adequate safety and considerably facilitate the use of this form of construction. A similar supplement has been issued in respect of masonry blocks laid to form continuous cavity-walls. Masonry construction consisting essentially of concrete studs •covered with precast concrete sheets has also been approved in principle, and will be the subject of a further supplement. The provisions in respect of hollow concrete blocks will be supplemented by a standard specification for the blocks themselves, the formulation of which has been commenced. Monolithic Concrete Construction.—Good progress has been made with the preparation of an additional part of the Standard Code of Building By-laws which will make provision for monolithic concrete construction, referred to in the last report. As this type of construction is a relatively recent development, the formulation of requirements relating to its use involves a considerable amount of investigational and research work. A special panel was appointed to undertake this work, and has formulated comprehensive principles upon which this part of the Standard Code will be based. The conclusions arrived at by the panel indicate that it will be necessary to draft the requirements in two sections, one setting out the general principles of design, and the other establishing arbitrary rules which may be used in lieu of detailed calculations in the design of structures not exceeding three stories in height. This type of construction offers such advantages, both in simplification of design and conservation of building materials, that this addition to the Standard Code is regarded as being of particular importance and urgency.

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