ENGINEERS’ CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 22889, 22 February 1938, Page 11

ENGINEERS’ CONFERENCE

OPENING BUSINESS SESSION PRESENTATION OF REPORTS The annual conference of the New Zealand Institution of Engineers was commenced this morning at the University. The president (Mr J. M‘G. Wilkie) was the chairman. The report of the council, presented by the'chairman, detailed the activities for the past year of the institution. It stated, in part, that on December 31 last, the strength of the institution showed an increase of 11 corporate members and four students as compared with 1936, bringing the totals up to 504 and 42 respectively. An exceptional increase in the number of full members was due to transfers from the class of associate members. The latter class shows a reduction as compared with the previous year, the number of transfers being in excess of the number of new elections. It is worthy of note, however, that the number of proposals for election received during the last three months of the year was in excess of the number elected during the preceding, nine months. After deducting outstanding liabilities, the balance sheet showed the net assets to be £6,177 Os sd, an increase of £143 5s 5d as compared with the preceding year. Following the discussion at the last annual general meeting, and discussions in the branches, a referendum of the corporate members was held, as a result of which the name of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers was changed to “ The New Zealand Institution of Engineers,” at a special general meeting. A Bill entitled the Institute of Clerks of Works ißill was again introduced into the House of Representatives during the last session. Deeming that the Bill contained provisions that were definitely not in the public interests, evidence was offered before the Labour Bills Committee of the House of Representatives by Messrs H. F. Toogood and F. W. Furkert, on behalf of tbe institution. Similar representations were made by other bodies. Tbe Bill was not proceeded with. The council regretted to note that although the total amount of the subscriptions received shows a very large improvement—thus enabling the trustees to assist substantially certain very deserving cases—yet the percentage of members of the institution who contributed to this result amounted to only 10 per cent, of tbe total membership of tbe institution. Reference to the increased membership was made by several speakers, and the report was adopted without discussion. BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION’S FUND. The report of the Committee of Management of the Benevolent Association stated that the total capital funds of the association on December 31 last, stood at £2,209 11s 9d, including 27 of the institution’s debentures. Daring the year a sum of £6OO. which had accumulated in the Post Office Savings Bank account was withdrawn and invested in Government of New Zealand 4 per cent, inscribed stock. The investments and deposits as on December 31, totalled £2,256 5s 10d. On information submitted to

the trustees, and on the latter’s recommendations, after examination of the circumstances in each case, grants were made during the year to the total amount of £9O, leaving £67 15s lid available for transfer to the capital account, subject to the powers of the committee. The report was adopted. .RURAL (ROADS. A technical report presented by the Standing and dealing with rural roads was received.