SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1917, Page 7

SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

TARANAKI .PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE, The half-yearly meeting of the Taranaki branch of the N.Z. Society of Civil Engineers was held last week at Hawera. Tho following engineers attended: Messrs H. H. Sharp, resident engineer, Stratford (chairman), W. H. Cook, I, C. Sladden, A. H. Palmer, E. C. Robinson, R. S. Thompson, J. Sturrock, F. 0. Davies, T. Keller, C. H. Lawn (lion, sec). R. D. Tosßwill, and E. F. Evans. Am apology was read from Mr. C. F, Dowsett, who was too ill to attend. Mr. Sturrock, in tho absence of the Mayor, who was in Wellington, wel corned the visitors to Hawera.

After routine business, several suljects of interest to members were discussed, among which were matters concerning the next annual conference, the alteration of New Zealand mean tine as proposed by the Efficiency Board and carrying out and advising upon local authorities' works. The chairman welcomed Messrs KelJer and Davies, as new members, to the Taranaki branch since last meeting. The meeting recorded the good work of Mr F. Basham (now engineer to Pitangata County) in the formation o». the branch, and for the Society in general. x Mr. John\ Sturrock (Haweri borough engineer) then read a fine paper on "Hawera Borough Loan Works," in which he outlined the size and requirements of the borough, and detailed the various services in the way of watersupply, drainage, road and fooipath con. struction. The various methods of ta>macadam and tarred covering worlr, both on roads and footpaths, were described and costs of works were shown. The paper proved moat interesting, and instructive.

After a lengthy discussion, during which Mr. Sturrock gave further information, a hearty vote of thanks -was passed to that gentleman for his paper. A paper on "Maintenance of Roads," by Mr. C. T. Dowsett was, commenced, but. owing to Mr. Dowsett not being present, and timo not admitting, it was not concluded, discussion beta? held over until next meeting, as a further paper by the same gentleman was promised. Mr. Dowsett was accorded a vote of thanks for his paper, and regret was expressed for his absence. After a lunch adjournment., members visited the park, at which many ex. pressed their surprise at, and appreciation of, its beauties. The watertower was climbed, and tho weather conditions were excellent for a fine viev of the surrounding country. The borough work? wero visited,, where Mr. Sturrock explained the machinery and proces6es in use in road making. One of the automatic sewage, pump stations was also vieited, where the svstem was described.—Star.