Neither scale to apply to persons who have had less than twelve months’ full-time employment in an architect’s office. A schedule, showing the divisions of towns and districts into Classes “A,” “ B ” and “ C,” forms part of the scales recommended, and is based on the official grading published by the Ministry of Labour for wages in the building industry. The position now is that these scales, recommended in the report of the joint conference of A.A.S.T.A. representatives and the Allied Societies Conference, have been turned down by the R.I.B.A. Council. The reason for such action has not, apparently, been vouchsafed; but it can hardly be contended that the basic rates put forward were unreasonable or extortionate. Presumably, the R.I.B.A. Council is moved by some feeling that this question of basic rates has an unprofessional savour; but, since the Institute has a recognised scale of fees for practising members, any such apprehension is obviously ruled out. Moreover, it should be one of the duties of the R.I.B.A. to safeguard the interests and welfare of all their members, even though they may only be assistants. The British Medical Association takes a very strong line with public bodies who offer salaries to medical men which are considered to be inadequate for the posts and responsibilities to be undertaken. The attitude of the R.I.B.A. Council leaves the rather unpleasant impression that, while it is prepared to battle for its recognised scale against the public, it is indifferent to exploitation by members of the assistants, even though the latter may also be members. The subject is, of course, more or less bound up with the question of the salaried architect, upon which the Institute still occupies an anomalous and unsatisfactory position. The medical, legal, engineering and other large professional organisations have frankly accepted the existence of the salaried man, and the fact that he has come to stay; and we think it would be well if the R.I.B.A. followed suit. It would give them opportunities for securing the appointment of better trained men to these posts. And for the same reason we are of opinion that it would improve the general standard of the assistants if the Institute Council applied themselves to the question of their remuneration on the suggested basis of their qualifications as determined by the Institute’s own examinations.
*****
Our recent note concerning the “ restoration ” of Great Casterton Church has brought us later information about the remodelling of the interior of the building, which is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. We have, first, an assurance by the Rector, in an interview with a correspondent, that no fear of any spoiling of its ancient beauties need be apprehended. He explains, apparently in answer to some other adverse comments, that “ the present scheme of restoration was drawn up four years ago by a very well-known ecclesiastical architect, of renowned conservative views.” Valuable advice has also been given by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. The box pews, which have already been removed, were not of ancient date, being only painted deal of late eighteenth century production. They were ugly, uncomfortable and prevented people from seeing the conduct of services, and the conductor from seeing the people. By their removal the accommodation for worshippers has not only been made more commodious, but more comfortable as well. With regard
to the font, it is not proposed to make any alteration either with regard to its structure or position. We are not- ashamed of having put in a plea for painted deal box pews 150 years old, but they, apparently, have few friends, though connoisseurs pay heavy sums for “ houses of character ” which happen to possess pine or deal panelling of similar date. Certainly, with experience of both, we prefer for comfort the box pew to the average Cathedral chair. But as the parishioners, according to the Rector, rejoice in the new form of seating, “ and are delighted as the work of improvement and restoration progresses,” there , is no more to be said on this score. It is their church. One can only regret the tendency to think that beauty in ecclesiastical things ceased about 1500; also that such a unique example of a post-Reformation interior has ceased to exist. One must be satisfied that ‘ it is not proposed to make any alteration either with regard to the structure or position of the font,” although this argues that the noble work of “ restoration ” will be left incomplete.
The Stonehenge Preservation Fund now amounts to £13,200, of which £8,000 has been expended in acquiring one plot of about 400 acres, lying to the south and south-east of the remains. This includes the derelict aerodrome, the demolition of which has commenced. Rather more than £2,000 more is now required to complete the purchase of the second plot, lying towards Amesbury, which is threatened with building development, and Mr. J. C. Squire, Hon. Secretary to the Preservation Committee, is making an earnest appeal for this amount, as the Committee’s option expires in a few weeks. It is hoped to secure this amount, and also further funds to secure a third plot, which will bring the total area up to 1,400 acres, and secure the solitude which is so necessary in the surroundings of this national monument. Subscriptions may be sent to Mr. Squire at the National Trust, 7 Buckingham Palace Gardens, S.W.l.
*****
We welcome the formation of a new organisation, which has been formed mainly to guarantee the competency of those registered by it. The rapid growth of the electrical industry has drawn into its ranks numbers of incompetent people who undertake work which they have neither the knowledge nor the skill to carry out properly. Very naturally, the results of this incompetence recoil equally upon the qualified members of the industry, so that all firms carrying out electrical work become more or less suspect in the eyes of the public. The reputable firms of electrical installation contractors have, therefore, adopted the principle of registration, and have. instituted “ The National Register of Electrical Installation Contractor^.” It has a strong Council of Management or Registration Board, made up of members nominated by the Institution of Electrical Engineers and other representative bodies in the industry. A list of contractors who have given evidence of their competency has been issued. The Executive will investigate any bond fide complaint of bad workmanship on the part of a registered contractor, and may cancel his certificate if the complaint is established to their satisfaction. Certificates are only valid for one year, and renewal is dependent upon there being no complaints as the result of the annual local enquiry.
COMPETITION RESULT
Herne Bay Mumieipal Bmldings
First Premium: Mr. C. H. Norton, F.R.I.B.A., 14 Bedford Row, London, W.C.l. Second Premium: Messrs. W. L. Clunie and W. Tarn, 42 Mona Road, Walkley, Sheffield. Third Premium: Messrs. Symington & Prince, 8 Market Street, Leicester.
*****
Our recent note concerning the “ restoration ” of Great Casterton Church has brought us later information about the remodelling of the interior of the building, which is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. We have, first, an assurance by the Rector, in an interview with a correspondent, that no fear of any spoiling of its ancient beauties need be apprehended. He explains, apparently in answer to some other adverse comments, that “ the present scheme of restoration was drawn up four years ago by a very well-known ecclesiastical architect, of renowned conservative views.” Valuable advice has also been given by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. The box pews, which have already been removed, were not of ancient date, being only painted deal of late eighteenth century production. They were ugly, uncomfortable and prevented people from seeing the conduct of services, and the conductor from seeing the people. By their removal the accommodation for worshippers has not only been made more commodious, but more comfortable as well. With regard
to the font, it is not proposed to make any alteration either with regard to its structure or position. We are not- ashamed of having put in a plea for painted deal box pews 150 years old, but they, apparently, have few friends, though connoisseurs pay heavy sums for “ houses of character ” which happen to possess pine or deal panelling of similar date. Certainly, with experience of both, we prefer for comfort the box pew to the average Cathedral chair. But as the parishioners, according to the Rector, rejoice in the new form of seating, “ and are delighted as the work of improvement and restoration progresses,” there , is no more to be said on this score. It is their church. One can only regret the tendency to think that beauty in ecclesiastical things ceased about 1500; also that such a unique example of a post-Reformation interior has ceased to exist. One must be satisfied that ‘ it is not proposed to make any alteration either with regard to the structure or position of the font,” although this argues that the noble work of “ restoration ” will be left incomplete.
The Stonehenge Preservation Fund now amounts to £13,200, of which £8,000 has been expended in acquiring one plot of about 400 acres, lying to the south and south-east of the remains. This includes the derelict aerodrome, the demolition of which has commenced. Rather more than £2,000 more is now required to complete the purchase of the second plot, lying towards Amesbury, which is threatened with building development, and Mr. J. C. Squire, Hon. Secretary to the Preservation Committee, is making an earnest appeal for this amount, as the Committee’s option expires in a few weeks. It is hoped to secure this amount, and also further funds to secure a third plot, which will bring the total area up to 1,400 acres, and secure the solitude which is so necessary in the surroundings of this national monument. Subscriptions may be sent to Mr. Squire at the National Trust, 7 Buckingham Palace Gardens, S.W.l.
*****
We welcome the formation of a new organisation, which has been formed mainly to guarantee the competency of those registered by it. The rapid growth of the electrical industry has drawn into its ranks numbers of incompetent people who undertake work which they have neither the knowledge nor the skill to carry out properly. Very naturally, the results of this incompetence recoil equally upon the qualified members of the industry, so that all firms carrying out electrical work become more or less suspect in the eyes of the public. The reputable firms of electrical installation contractors have, therefore, adopted the principle of registration, and have. instituted “ The National Register of Electrical Installation Contractor^.” It has a strong Council of Management or Registration Board, made up of members nominated by the Institution of Electrical Engineers and other representative bodies in the industry. A list of contractors who have given evidence of their competency has been issued. The Executive will investigate any bond fide complaint of bad workmanship on the part of a registered contractor, and may cancel his certificate if the complaint is established to their satisfaction. Certificates are only valid for one year, and renewal is dependent upon there being no complaints as the result of the annual local enquiry.
COMPETITION RESULT
Herne Bay Mumieipal Bmldings
First Premium: Mr. C. H. Norton, F.R.I.B.A., 14 Bedford Row, London, W.C.l. Second Premium: Messrs. W. L. Clunie and W. Tarn, 42 Mona Road, Walkley, Sheffield. Third Premium: Messrs. Symington & Prince, 8 Market Street, Leicester.