SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 128, 23 February 1921, Page 6

SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, February 22.

The annual conference of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers opened this morning, Mr. Cyrus Williams presiding. The Minister of Public M orks paid a tribute to the engineers of the Public Works Department, who had controlled the Department without a single scandal. The profession should be placed on the highest possible standard, and he was prepared to help in this respect. He recognised that the development of the Dominion depended on the calibre of the men who controlled the country s public works. He hoped that before long there would be some general agreement as to legislation that would help the engineers and be to tlie lasting benefit of the country. The annual report stated that the membership was 276. that the council would continue its efforts to have a suitable Act dealing with the profession passed, and that property m Wellington had been secured as a home for the society. Regret was expressed as-to the small response to the invitation made by members to take up debentures to pay off the loan on the property. It was urged that- a stop should be put to the practice of canvassing for work, which was considered by many members to bo unprofessional. A committee was appointed to consider what is professional etiquette and report vo the conference. Mr. F. A. M'Ttean was elected president, Messrs. J. Burnett, and F. IV. I’tarIcert vice-presidents, Mr- W. IT. Morton lion secretary, and Messrs. J. Blair Mason, M. E. Bush, -and N. Crofton Stavoley members of the council.