STABILITY OF BRIDGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 800, 22 October 1929, Page 16

STABILITY OF BRIDGE

“PERFECTLY SAFE” ENGINEER SUPPORTED (Special to THE SUN) TE AROHA, Monday. Following allegations by a deputation at a previous meeting that Bailey’s Bridge on Eastport Road was unsafe for traffic and liable to collapse, the Piako County Council witnessed a test with a 13-ton load today. As the load was taken over, the bridge sank seven-eighths of an inch. It was agreed that the test was satisfactory. When the council resumed its meeting the chairman, Mr. W. R. Lowry, questioned the right of laymen to criticise the work of an expert bridge builder such as Mr. Horner, the council’s engineer, unless evidence could be produced to prove it was inexpert. As a result of the attitude of the deputation county residents feared the bridge was unsafe. After that day’s satisfactory test the council in future would listen out of courtesy to ratepayers, but would support its engineer to its fullest capacity. Mr. Walters agreed that the bridge was perfectly safe.

“It is a flimsy structure,” said Mr. Kennedy. “A new trussed bridge such as Bailey’s bridge should not sink under a load. As a contractor I have been building bridges all my life, and I know what I say is right.” CALLED TO ORDER

The chairman called Mr. Kennedy to order on the ground that the use of the words “flimsy structure’’ reflected unfairly on the engineer. Mr. Kennedy: I said in my opinion it is a flimsy structure and I still say so. The engineer stated that the clerk had assessed the cost of the bridge at £447, but the subtractions of certain items reduced it to -£385. His estimate was £370. The council some members of which were always looking for first-class bridges at sec-ond-class prices—had an excellent second-class bridge for £385, whereas a bridge of standard design would have cost £1,150.

Mr. Kennedy, referring to a voucher payment, said: “Hoes the engineer suggest we should pay a man £77 to help him to build the bridge?” HARASSING ENGINEER

The Engineer: Mr. Kennedy should be the last person to say the bridge is a flimsy structure. He approves of the plans for this 45ft bridge over a stream, and then develops the very fine idea of trying to harass the engineer when it is completed. Mr. Walters: Hoes Mr. Kennedy think the bridge is not good enough after this morning’s test? Mr. Kennedy: I think a better bridge could have been built for the money. The discussion ended with the chairman calling the meeting to order.