320 s. SEKIYA 



were properly remedied, sucli dwellings might be made pretty safe as 

 against earthquakes. In sites little liable to danger from fire", one 

 may find, in this country, wooden houses built three and even four 

 centuries ago. Wood, no doubt, Avill continue for a long time to be 

 the chief building material in this country 



In Japan, hoAvever, fire is a more constant and even more dread 

 enemy than earthquakes, while terrible conflagrations are often 

 brought about by destructive shocks. Hence, brick and stone 

 should, and probably will in time come to be largely employed for 

 building, especially in towns. The question, then, is to select 

 certain types of brick or stone houses which are best calculated to 

 resist earthquake shocks. Sheet and bar iron houses, as used in 

 Australia, would make very efficient earthquake-proof buildings, 

 although they are not free from several objections. 



After the terrible catastrophe of 1883 in the island of Ischia, the 

 Italian Government appointed a Commission * to consider the recon- 

 struction of the buildings in that island. ïlie Commission, after 

 investigating the different modes of constructions most suitable for 

 earthquake countries, submitted models of houses in wood and in 

 combinations of wood and masonry, which were adopted. The com- 

 mission recommended that buildings should be chiefly constructed 

 with an iron or wooden framework,' carefully joined together by 

 diagonal ties, horizontally and vertically, the spaces between the 

 framework being filled in with masonry of a light character. ISTot 

 more than two stories above ground were to be allowed, etc., etc. 



In Italy brick houses are joined by iron tie-rods; and similar 

 devices are now, to a certain extent, used in this country. Concerning 

 the erection of brick or stone houses in Japan, much valuable in- 

 f )rmation is to be obtained from the Italians, who, like ourselves, 



* rrüccediugb of tliu lustitutiou uf Civil Eugiuccrs, \o\. Lxxxiii, Session 188C-8G — Part i. 



