FERRO-CONCERETE WHARVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13831, 18 August 1908, Page 6

FERRO-CONCERETE WHARVES.

CAUSE OF OXIDISATION. HARBOUR BOARD INQUIRY. THE question of oxidisation and other defects on the ferro-concrete works now under construction by the Harbour Board was again before the Board in committee yesterday. At. a previous meeting it was agreed that the committee have power to j call evidence necessary to elucidate the j cause of rust showing in and under the | structure of the Railway Wharf, to find ! out what steps should be taken to prevent I further deterioration and to make recom- ! mendations' such as might be considered necessary in regard to future structures in ferro-concrete or other material. Some discussion arose as to the evidence to be called, it being held that no testi- | mony in any way reflecting on the absent | engineer should be heard until Mr. Hamer's j return. ; The Chairman (the Hon. E. MitcheWn) I said he thought, all were agreed that if I there was anything to find fault with the blame should be placed on the right shoulders. In the meantime, they should discover the cause of the trouble, and a remedy, if that were possible. Mr. Entritan: We are only going to call evidence of fact.*. The Chairman said he desired to inform j Mr. Bradney that he should call his evi- ! dence without any bitterness of feeling. j Mr. Bradney intimated that he was not j guilty of the slightest feeling at all, and j he was sorry to undertake the business at j all. "But when I start a thing." said Mr. ; Bradney, "I like to finish it," Mr. ! Bradney further indicated that if he did j not have his way in the matter, he might I feel it incumbent on himself to examine a | witness (Mr. Webster) privately, and publish his evidence. The Chairman proceeded to detail some of the questions which would be put to witnesses. One of the most important was the thickness of concrete which should be placed over the steel. i Mr. Entrican: It seems to me that it is ! a question of future policy. ; Mr. Bradney: When a man tells you j he was told to conceal certain things—— j Mr. _ Entrican: I think you are too ready | to believe a lot of these stories. Mr. Bradney: The clerk of works has j been working without specifications. i After further discussion the committee i decided to hold its inquiry- on Friday, at i two p.m.