CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2290, 8 May 1886, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[advt.] WAIPOUA TEMPORARY FOOT BRIDGE,

• -To the Editor, Sir,—As_ Mr George Fannin, in his characleristicly oblique manner has chal-' lenged tho accuracy of my calculations of the strains in a temporary foot-bridge that I designed for the \Vaipoua, would you allow me in a brief manner to state the facts of the case. After the flood which occurred about nineteen months ago had carried away the southern approach to the County bridge, a temporary foot bridge of about ninety feet span became necessary, I had one built on the road, closo to the river, and as it wan urgently required, I endeavored to place it in position without previously erecting any false work or scaffolding. ■ A desire to economise time and labor inducod me •to adopt this course, The strength and appliances at my disposal proved to be inadequate, and it was found to be exceedingly difficult to keep tho strains properly distributed, while the bridge was being moved to its intended site. It was difficult to foresee the amount of strain andtwistingthat the slightstructure would be subjected to in transit. The end which was carried forward over the stream had nearly reached its destination when, owing to the great strain thrown upon particular parts by the irregular action of the appliances used, the cords broke. As the work was urgent, I immediately erected a more temporary structure, using up in its construction the materials employed in the other ono, exceptthe wire, which was part of an old ferry rope, If I had been successful in getting the end of the temporary bridge on to its . intended site, it would have answered every purpose for which it was designed, Your correspondent, Mr George Fannin, seems to think differently, and he has not scrupled to say in an indirect manner that the calculations of strain etc. were innaccurate, but he has given no proof whatever in support of his asumptions, and haß therefore boen guilty of a particularly moan and descreditablo courso of action. Mr Ceorge Fannin's 'hard facts'are not hard but very much otherwise. I would remind him that I have hitherto said nothing about his works, apart from those which he seems to have considered mine, or his connection with builders, subjects which ho knows well I could make capital of, were I so inclined, lam, &c, John Kino.