OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 137, 13 June 1938, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MAJOR R. FORBES-MOORE. GRAFTON BRIDGE ENGINEER. The engineer who designed the working plans for Grafton Bridge, Major Robert Forbes-Moore, has died in Auckland in his 74tli year. He was born in South Africa and went to England, where he was educated at Woolwich Arsenal. He graduated as a lieutenant and took part in the Battle of Suakin in the Egyptian War. Later he went to Australia, where he took up mining engineering and followed that career in various States. Major Moore became associated with the Ferro-Concrete Company, and about the year 1903 was sent to Auckland to supervise the construction of the King's wharf. In 1907 the Ferro-Concrete Company was the successful tenderer for the Grafton Bridge. Major Moore was the eiigineer-in-cliarge. The work was begun in May, 1907, and completed in 1910. It was then the largest ferroconcrete bridge in ; the world and was unique in having the widest arch-span of any such bridge. The greatest span was 320 ft and the total cost was over £35,000. Major Forbes-Moore served with the New Zealand Tnnnelling Corps in France in 1917 and later rejoined the Royal Engineers, with whom he had been formerly associated. Returning to Auckland he carried on the practice of his profession practically up to the time of his death. He is survived by his wife and daughter. Major Moore will be accorded a military funeral.