CIVIL ENGINEERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1919, Page 3

CIVIL ENGINEERS.

CONfJRENCE OF TARANAKI BRANCH. The half-yearly meeting of the Tarartiaki branch of the above Socioty was held in the Taranaki County Council Chambers, New Plymouth, on Tuesday, list inst., Mr. H. H. Sharp, District Engineer, Public Works Department, presiding. The following members wore also present: Messrs. J. Blair Mason, J. W. Spence, R. D Climie, R. S. Thompson, T. A. Johnson, R. 1). Tosswill, H. F. Dowsett, L. C. Sladden, W. H. Cook, G. IA. Lee, J. C. McLaehlan, Captain H. Watkinson, and C. H. Lawn (hon. secretary). j Mr. R. H. Bartley, New Plymouth Borough electrical engineer, attended by' invitation. Apologies were tendered for absence by Messrs. J. S. Sturrock, A. H Palmer and B. Homer. Prior to the commencement of business, the Deputy Mayor (Mr. W. A. Collis) welcomed the visiting engineers to New Plymouth. The text of his remarks has already appeared in this paper. Mr. Sharp replied to the Deputy Mayor's welcome, on behalf of the visiting members. IJputine business was then proceeded with. The annual report and balance sheet were adopted. The roport and correspondence showed that membership was increasing, and thr.t branches of the Society in other parts of the Dominion were active, there being mutual exchange of papers read at various meetings. In the election of officers, Mr. Blair, Mason, engineer to New Plymouth Harbor Board, was unanimously elected chairman, and Mr. C. II Lawn, Public Works, Stratford, was re-elected honorary secretary. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. H. H. Sharp, retiring cnairman, for his work on behalf of the branch. Members remarked on his enthusiasm on behalf of the Society, and regretted that his retirement was due to his shortly leaving the district. Capt. 11. Watkinson read a short paper on "The activities of the New Zealand Tunnelling Corps in France." The writer dealt with the formation of the unit in New Zealand, and the work of the corps, from a purely engineering point of view, showing its magnitude and difficulties, and the unique position attained by the corps during the operations. The paper was most interesting, and" the writer was accorded a vote of thanks. "The New Plymouth harbor works" was the subject of a short paper by Air. ■T. Blair Mason. The writer dealt with the history of past proposal* for flic formation of a harbor at New Plymiami, thft. works already carried out, and the proposals for immediate prosecution. Tfe also dealt with the future proposals for final completion of the harbor. Weather conditions, sand drift, provision proposed and details of works now in hand were all dealt with. An interesting discussion on various phases of beach formation and littoral drift followed, Messrs. Sharp, Thompson. Climie and Dowsett taking part. IMan> of present and past were exhibited. Mr. .T. Bair Mason received tin thanks of the members for lii.s paper and explanation. '•'The Now Plymouth Hydro-Eloeti ;<• Works" were next dealt with in a snort paper by Mr. G. A. Lee, who, with Mr. •I. Blair Mason, is carrying out the e works. The paper dealt, with the necessity for enlarging the electric supply oi New Plymouth; the investigations which were carried out in considering the design of present works, and the proposals wherewith and whereby the adequate supply of power may lie obtained. The scheme, including the storage dam, tunnel and penstock," were fullv explained in a lueid manner, and plans were exhibited depicting the works in hand.

I During the discussion on the paper ill'. R. H. Bartley (electrical engineer to New Plymouth') gave details of the present supply, with the history of matters leading up to the present schema, and explained investigations made regarding the measurement and ganging the water in the Waiwakaiho river. TTe also explained "load factor" and mutters affecting the sale and usage of electric current. Mr. Lee was accorded a vote of thanks for his paper and Mr. Bartley received the thanks of the meeting for his explanations of the matters dealt with. A vote of thanks was passed to the Taranaki Council for the use of the Council Chambers for the meeting, also a vote of thanks was accorded the Press for past favours. The members then visited the harbor, whither they were conducted by the harbor and borough engineers. Explanations of the proposals were made, and the visitors were taken by launch to Motnroa Tsland to inspect the work in progress there. On return to shore afternoon tea was provided by Mrs. Blair Mason, after partaking of which the meeting adjourned. The visitors expressed themselves gratified at the success of the meeting, and that great benefit had been received.