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Asbestos-cement Sectional Committee The Committee considered requests from manufacturers that standard specifications be amended, in view of world shortages of asbestos, to allow the substitution of suitable mineral fibre. Tests showed that mineral fibres with a fusion point of not less than 1,200° c. (2,192° f.) are satisfactory, and the specifications were amended accordingly. This will enable greater production of an important building material. General By-laws Sectional Committee Following good progress with standard codes of by-laws relating to building construction, plumbing, and related matters, the Municipal Association of New Zealand requested the preparation of a similar standard code of by-laws covering all matters concerning good rule and government which lend themselves to the adoption of uniform requirements. The Association advised that over fifty boroughs wished to participate in the project and would adopt the standard by-laws as soon as they were available. It was likely that many other municipalities would take similar action. It was estimated that the average cost of preparing such by-laws, were local authorities to operate individually, would be £750, with a total cost of about £90,000. The preparation of the standard code was estimated to cost £5,000. Apart from the cost of preparation, it was impracticable for local authorities to formulate adequate by-laws, as no single one could draw on the wealth of experience which was made available by standardization. Following a conference of interested parties, the General By-laws Sectional Committee appointed working committees to prepare detailed provisions under the following headings:— (1) General. —Good Rule and Government ; Hawkers, Pedlars, and Itinerant Traders ; Billiard Rooms ; Riding Devices and Shooting Galleries ; Household Refuse Purchasers ; Libraries ; Second-hand Timber. (2) Public Health. —Nuisances ; Offensive Trades ; Removal of Refuse (Household and Trade); Cemeteries and Crematoria ; Sale of Second-hand Clothing and Hiring-out of Same ; Eatinghouses ; Cordial and Other Food Producing Factories ; Butchers, Fishmongers, &c. (3) Public Places. —Public Baths and Swimming Pools ; Scaffolding and Deposit of Building Materials ; Signs and Hoardings ; Carting Over Footways; Street Stalls ; Fencing ; Street Photographers ; Street Names and House Numbers ; General and Miscellaneous. (4) Waterworks. —Water Supply ; Meters ; Water Collection Areas. (5) Land.- —Parks and Reserves. (6) Stock and Dairies. —Abattoirs ; Milk Vendors. (7) Traffic and Vehicles. —Taxis ; Carriers ; Stands : Parking ; Bicycles. At the close of the year fifteen parts of the proposed standard code of general by-laws had been completed in draft form for circulation for comments, as follows : Good Rule and Government; Billiard Rooms ; Household Refuse Purchases ; Shooting Galleries ; Hawkers, Pedlars, and Itinerant Traders ; Abattoir and Meat Vendors; Offensive Trades ; Removal of Refuse ; Nuisances ; Sale of Second-hand Clothing and Bedding and Hiring Out of Clothing ; Cemeteries ; Public Baths and Swimming Baths ; Street Stalls ; Scaffolding and Deposit of Building Materials ; Public Places and Miscellaneous. TECHNOLOGICAL STANDARDIZATION Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee Before the draft standard specification for concrete fencing-posts can be completed it is necessary to check the suitability of a new cantilever test now being examined bv the Dominion Physical Laboratory.

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