CIVIL ENGINEERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 294, 9 November 1934, Page 3

CIVIL ENGINEERS.

NORTH WELLINGTON BRANCH

CONFERENCE IN SESSION

The annual conference of the North Wellington branch of the New Zealand Society ot Civil Engineers opened at Dal me mo n North, last evening, with the retiring president, Mr J. G. Menzies, in the chair. Civil engineers are present from New Plymouth, YVaiioa, the Wairarapa, Manawatu;- llorowhenua, and other districts. The conference was officially opened by the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansiord) who extended a welcome to the visitors. lie added that, in the rapid world changes that were taking place, civil engineers were destined to play a prominent part. New Zealand was facing a now eu and planning was going to play a very much greater part in this new period than in those behind them. This must result from the increasing use of machinery. The engineer must become a greater factor in the planning demanded by social changes and it would be necessary to take into account human development and social evolution. The civil engineers of the Dominion realised their grave responsibilities and would live up to the traditions of their profession, of which they were so proud. The Mayor trusted that the conference would be one of profit and pleasure and that the visiting delegates would take away with them happy recollections of tlieir stay in Palmerston North. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow: —President, Mr A. Dinnie (Napier); secretary, Mr H. L. Benjamin (Napier); council, Messrs J. It. Hughes (Palmerston North), G. w. B. Lowson (Napier), 0. G. Thornton (Gisborne), L. E. Row (Wanganui), A. G. Harris (Wairoa), and P. Keller (Stratford). It was decided to hold the next conference at Napier. An address on the maintenance of high tension lines was given this morning by Mr F. M. Doig, and later Mr H. V. Bond spoke on the roadmix surfacing contract at Himatangi. Inspections were made of this work this afternoon, and of the Fitzlierbert bridge, in connection • with the latter of which Mr Menzies is giving an address before the conference concludes this evening.

Arrangements will probably be made for the engineers to visit the Tiritea reservoir to-morrow morning.