NOT FAVOURED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 30, 6 February 1928, Page 8

NOT FAVOURED.

CONCRETE TRMSBBSio, POLES.

IWAITEMATABWBna,,^

AVENUE FOR CONFERENCE.

The possibility of using crete tor the manufacture of tT sion poles was reported upon ft®*?" engineer (Mr. F. J. H. Wfcon) * ** days meeting of the Waitenau rL* Power Board, presided ot„ . Hayden. but discussion nn'tv ject was deferred for a month. The board expressed tb» ««.• ever, that the matter opened for a conference with other po& particularly the Auckland standard engineering practice 'it T? present time is to use either tiJIL. steel :or line supports, and of t W ? power board work partkulirlv,££* wood pole predominates. aw - Mr. Wilson said that with a vW< avoiding the importation of AwsTtZ hardwoods, a few boards in XeJaSl were experimenting with similar tests had been nude a fr* , ago by the Post and Telegraph partment. reinforced conSt, \ added, was now one of the used materials in building consJS but tne same conditions did not in the case of line supports. In mg the leatures of stresses bility and ease of handling of the *2" Mr. W llson pointed out that a\rf to meet Waitemata conditions require to be Soft high and IS,* 11 in. There were many factors tendea to limit the durabilitT of t»™. forced concrete for poles, and he jested that the maximum life ftZ »6 j-r. to 20 years. Vm, ao doubt that a more durable tr* structure than the timber pole I*,1 *, eventually desirable, and the qwtj tvas whether or not reinforced annua ■vas a satisfactory solution of t» Droblem ? However, he couii not »*«. nend the use of this expensive tad* ret experimental medium for line t®. *>rts. -Briefly," he added, :he question trom economic and earS >ering considerations, in the fct®, he benefits anticipated would nottprur o be commensurate with the incrassi •apital outlay, while, in the second cu» he data av: ilable in reg.-rd to remionsi •ODcrete pole lines now in use does be justify any assumption that tfe naterial is suited for such class of *ori. This leads one to the conclusion that iccepted practice for transmission & vork of using hardwoods where spuads lot exceed 100 yards, is based on sons md veil tried designs/ 1

The chairman suggested that tin npert be merely received ij the meamiai They could discuss the matter at a lite stage, and take what action tar thought necessary.

"No doubt the engineers conclnsks are based on sound grounds," said Mr. S. E. Kennings. "There is no donte tins the concrete pole proposition is goinj to play a much more important pet in -power board - »tifialitioa throughout the world; but "perhaps the time to aa in Xew Zealand is too soon yet/ 5 Ta usual practice' in new ventures iras icr the Dominion to benefit by the experience of other countries, before inexetsig capital charges: • To get the thing <m i 'concrete' basis, however, he advoafx a policy of securing specifications tor concrete poles and calling fo.* tadtr-

for them. At present they hid onij the experience of two boards to go k Concrete .*as undoubtedly advitfe from the point of view of keeping mmr iu the country, and providing employment. The appearance of concrete was superior to that of hardwooiv and the question might be conade.fi from the aesthetic aspect." The Chairman said the 0&I7 wr e pursuing such a policy was to havj 20(M> or 3000 poles manufactured in conjunction with another board. Mr. Kennings: This is a case where s conference with. say. the Aucklind Board would do a great deal of good.