Collapsed.

Progress, 1 October 1908, Page 421

Collapsed.

Do buildings ever collapse in the Dominion? There is no record of such a thing, as the fall of a building as unexpected as the proverbial "bolt out of the blue " As, however, the thing happens in old countries, and not at all through old age. the subject is not without its interest here It was a burning question the other day in London. During the discussion, the point cropped up as to responsibility. Is any one responsible? Mr. W. Weaver, an authority on municipal engineering, during the course of that discussion, threw some clear light on the scene. ' ' The collapse of a building," he said, "may be the first intimation to the district surveyor of its dangerous state. It is not his duty to find out the danger before the collapse ; in fact, he cannot survey the building and become entitled to be paid for so doing until he has, obtained the authority of the London County Council to make the survey." It follows, of course, that no one is responsible, after a new building is once inspected and passed, for anything that happens to it. The moral is that official inspection is not always a guarantee. From which may be concluded by those who choose to follow the discussion aforesaid, that it passes the wit of man to find a remedy. However, buildings do not fall like bolts out of the blue, in this Dominion at all events.