CIVIL ENGINEERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1920, Page 2

CIVIL ENGINEERS.

! CONFERENCE AT WAITARA. I The \ half-yearly meeting of the members I of the Taranakl brunch of the New Zealand 1 Society of Civil Engineers, was held in the Clifton County Chambers, Waitara, on Tuesday. There was a good attendance of members from all parts of the district. Mr. J. Blair Mason, New Plymouth, presided. The matter of superannuation for local bodies' officers was discussed, and the meeting declared itself In sympathy with the principle tl'at a superannuation fund for local bodies' officers should be made compulsory by legislation. The, next meeting was proposed to be held in New Plymouth in May.

A welcome was extended to Mr. A. C. Owen who has lately come to the district to jolt the firm of Messrs. Blair Masbn find Lee.

lift. C. P. Dowsett, Clifton County engineer, read a very interesting paper on "Hoad Traffic and Maintenance." This paper detailed tlio growth of traffic tinder the new conditions of self propelled vehicles with the increased speeds and weights of sa.me. Tho effects of this traffic, and the consequent difficulty of upkeep and cost to the ratepayers, was shown, and a method of road formation for overcoming some of the difficulties was advocated.

The paper elicited a very interesting discussion, all members present taking part. Mr. Dowsett was accorded a hearty vote o! thanks for his paper.

The chairman (in the absence of the writer) read a paper on "Roadlng in the Palea County," written by Mr. J. C. McLauchlan, County engineer. This paper detailed the methods of read construction In various parts of Patca County, and included surface formation, macadam metalling, tar sealing, and tar spraying. Cosrs were given, and the various works detailed In a very practical manner. As the writer was not present, discussion of the paper was postponed until next meeting.