CIVIL ENGINEERS

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 43, 19 February 1918, Page 8

CIVIL ENGINEERS

NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE

ANNUAL MEETING OPENED.

In the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall this morning the annual general meeting of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers (Incorporated) was commenced. The president, Mr. J. Blair Mason, occupied the chair, and there was a. representative attendance, of over fifty delegates from all parts of the Dominion. /.

The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke, C.M.G.), who- was received with applause, exI tended a welcome to the delegates. He said that he felt it was an honour to the- city. that once again the society should be in conference here. The activities of engineers under existing condi-. tions were somewhat limited, but he would urge concentration for a great forward move at the end of the war. Ho referred to the sacrifices made by members of the society in connection with the war. Their services were very much esteemed. There were.no works of a great character in progress in New Zealand at-present, but "that was not to say that the enginering ability to carry them out was not in the country. He did not wish to individualise, but so far as the Government service was concerned he felt it was Well endowed with the necessary genius for the carrying out of any works when the. opportunity offered. In conclusion, Mr. Luke briefly referred ■to the disabilities from which engineers in New Zealand suffer, and contended that the engineering profession had never been on a proper basis in the Dominion. On the motion of the Chairman, a vote of thanks to the Mayor was passed with enthusiasm. . : i REPORT OF COUNCIL. '■'. In the annual report of the council, it was stated that the number of members on the register on 31st March, 1917, was 134:, the number of associates was 57, and the number of students 7—a total of 198. Since the above date,, one member, 10 associates, and one student had been electeiT, bringing the total membership to date to "207. The balance.to credit at the bank was, on the 15th inst., £86 lCs 3d. With respect to the leasing of rooms for the use of the society, the council was of opinion that, although such a step was most' desirable, it was impracticable under present circumstances. In regard I to the Town Planning Bill, 1917, the council, would take such steps as might be deemed necessary to guard the interests of the society. The council had also, it was pointed out, watched the interests of the society by noting'the forms of advertisement, issued by local authorities for • engineering services, and had taken action in three cases by drawing attention to.the fact that it'was undesirable ■that engineers should be asked to compete by tendering the remuneration required for their services, and urging upon local bodies to fix the rate of salary to be paid. It was stated that a further sum of £80—taken from ordinary ' revenue—had been invested in War Loan Certificates, maturing in five years, to the vaiue ol fillW. On tffe motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. J. Marchbanks, the report was adopted. The statement of accounts presented by Mr. : Marchbanks was adopted on his motion, seconded by Mr. E. W. Holmes, Engineer-in-Chief to the Public Works Department. It was considered that the Institute was in a sound position financially. •'■•■.■ '■-.■! On the motion of Mr. Cuthbert, seconded bjr Mr. O'Donnell, a hearty vote of thanks 'was accorded to the returning officers. Special reference in this connection was made to Mr. William Ferguson [Chairman of the National' Efficiency Board), to whose engineering ability and patriotic work the chairman paid a glowing tribute. ' ' ' ' Mr. Morton drew attention, to the fact that Brisbane, Sydney. Melbourne, and Hobart had all had different times, but had been brought into line with no evil effect upon anyone. "They just got uj> a bit earlier, and did not know' it." Mr. H. F. Toogood reminded conference that opposition, as of old, would come from the agricultural section of the community. Mr. L. Birks (Canterbury) said they should keep in view that they were not asking any new thing. What they were asking was not in the interests of the engineers alone; it was really the proposal of the sportsmen. It was no new innovation they sought, every isolated sawmilling and bush camp had adopted it as a matter of public convenience. Eventually, on the motion of Mr. S. A. R. Blair, conference passed a motion affirming the desirability of having New Zealand mean time twelve hours ahea* 1 of Greenwich mean time instead of llhr 30min, as at present. (Proceeding.)