BUILD FOR TIME!

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 26, 24 February 1909, Page 4

BUILD FOR TIME!

A PLEA FOR INTELLIGENT ENGINEERING. ! PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT DISCUSSED. Addressing those assembled at the function in connection with the opening of the Dawson suspension bridge at Lower Hutfc on Saturday, the Minister lor Labour, Hon. A. \V. Hogg, reverted to the discussion which arose out of telegraphed reports of his recent Wairarapa speech, in which he made reference to the Dominion's 'engineers. It had been stated that in a rec-en-. speech, said Mr Hogg, he was i-ai.iir severe on some of the Dominion's eng.iieers. He could only believe that lie tu;l been misunderstood. He had never made any general attack on the engineers of New Zealand, and such an attack would be quite unwarranted. But in all trades they would find men who did not advance with the times. In their day these men were all that could be desired —they were trained is a good school and their training was sound. But their minds were without elasticity, and they became "fossilised" (he believed that was what they termed it). When young their minds were receptive, but when they had learned all they thought they required to learn they refused to go another step forward. This was what the constructor of these suspension bridges ]>ad bad to contend with. These wen the type of men he had referred to in his speech up-country. It was desirable that they should have in constant consultation with the officers of thtir Public Works Department the very best esjgineering talent that was to b* found. They bad with them that day, In the person of Mr Blow, UnderSecretary to the Public Works Department, a gentleman who was full of energy, and had unmistakeably the courage of his opinions—who would not hesitate to reprove himself (Mr Hogg) did the occasion warrant. They were to be congratulated on having such an officer. But public works (and Mr Blow would agiCe with him here) were still in their infancy in New Zealand. Still, they had public buildings in many centres that they might justly take a pride in. Reconstruction had been undertaken or was in contemplation m many others. Their railways were being renewed—to fact, were being not only ■renovated, but revolutionised, and a lot of the credit for that belonged to Mr Blow. What they must aim at at all times were public works of a class which would be of service not only to the users now, but fo those who were to follow. It was essential that they should adopt ideas that were modern, and in nothing did this apply more than in bridge building. Compare the simple structure they stood upon with their great stress bridges built on piles that were an obstruction to the current and invitation to disaster, and mark how great was the improvement. The life-time of the lighter structure was greater; its costs of construction was considerably less. To show them that it was too trumpery structure, be would tell them that tlie engineer had stud he was going to take his ten ton steam roller across it.