Old Public Trust building not quake-prone

Wanganui property owner Peter Robinson has expressed delight that the former Public Trust building on the corner of Market Pl and Rutland St is not plastered brick but reinforced concrete.
"As such it should not be an earthquake-prone building, and I retract any suggestion that it might be," he said.
An article (Chronicle, April 10) in which Mr Robinson expressed concerns about the Wanganui District Council's proposed policy on earthquake-prone buildings carried photographs of older buildings ? one of which was the former Public Trust building ? assessed by Mr Robinson.
Mr Robinson told the Chronicle he had been contacted by the owners of the former Public Trust building (Brian Hayward and Christine Raymond) and they had provided the information that the building was reinforced concrete.
Mr Robinson said his assessment was based on a drive-by inspection which, because of the age of the building, meant he thought it would be plastered brick.
"I am delighted to be told to the contrary," he said.
Mr Hayward and Ms Raymond told the Chronicle they had a report saying their building far exceeded the required earthquake standard.
The building was the same as the Public Trust building in Napier, which survived the 1931 earthquake and was still standing.
The Wanganui building, made of reinforced concrete, was the only one of its type left in Wanganui.
Two engineers agreed the building was structurally sound and not condemned.
"One engineer's view is that it is the best building of its type he has seen and been in," they said.
"We want the public to be aware the building is not condemned.
"We feel our potential resale value has been damaged, along with the other photographed buildings (Chronicle, April 10).