FERRO-CONCRETE WHARF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13868, 30 September 1908, Page 6

FERRO-CONCRETE WHARF.

It is high time that ordinary common sense resumed control of the deliberations of the Harbour Board when ferro-concrete is under consideration. Because very considerable sums are' being expended in accordance with accepted engineering principles, and under the best professional direction, is no reason whatever ■ why there should be a panic whenever prejudice and inexperience renew the attack upon a progressive policy. The harbour scheme had to be commenced in the face of a stubborn and unreasonable opposition, and will have to be carried on with steady determination, regardless of obviously > partial attempts to discredit it. Mr. Hamer's letter to the Auckland Harbour Board shows that while he is taking the holiday to which he -was entitled, he is systematically studying matters of great interest to all harbour engineers and accumulating information of great value to the Board. It confirms, what was gonerally known, that ferro-concrete is coming into common use for wharf building, and that wherever it is used it gives full satisfaction. The examinations made of the local structures bear out all that has been claimed for reinforced concrete, flaws being few and far between, easily remedied, and due entirely to special causes. The engineering experience of the world is wholly in agreement that;, . considering all the points which have to be weighed, fcrro-coilcretc is the best material for wharves, and the proof of this is that wherever it is used its use is continued, and that it • is steadily replacing other materials where permanent work is called for. '- That the concrete must be well made, the reinforcement skilfully designed, and the coating ample, goes without saying ; nor will it be questioned that the whole system may be brought nearer to perfection as engineering methods develop. But this only substantiates the confidence felt by the highest authorities in the actual and present reliability of good ferro-conr crete work ; and if any excuse could be made for the astonishingly ignorant criticisms made upon the Auckland structure, it is that the . local work has been shown to be thoroughly satisfactory. As the matter stands, the Auckland Harbour Board is providing for the use of the port, and for a sum well within its means, wharfage immensely superior to what could be obtained in any other material. The Board is not only making the port incomparably the most convenient and best-equipped of any port in* the Dominion, but is doing permanent work upon the most modern lines, which will be an heritage to ..future; generations, ere,-

ditable to -all who have taken part in its construction. Mr. Hamer has put into the work not only the best energies of an energetic man, but the reputation of a talented and ambitious engineer. Time and again he has successfully defended and justified his plans, winning a complete victory over every attempt to decry his proposals and to reverse the progressive policy which he has so loyally, and consistently supported. Yet ho sooner has he gone on a well-merited and justly-earned holiday, in which, like every other enthusiastic engineer, his pleasure is never separated from his business, than the old cry of despair is heard again, and the Board is actually persuaded to recall him. And why i. Because there are a few rust spots, such as are known by engineers to result from causes -which do not affect the permanence of reinforced concrete; these were so hysterically, declaimed against that for a moment the Board took fright and imagined that the wharves would melt into the water and leave it with no residuum but debt. Mr. Hamer is more to be relied upon in this matter than critics who know nothing of the professional problems involved, and who have a, ravenous desire to say, "I told you so." If they cannot learn that. Auckland has become a .great port, and that it must adopt modern methods and,advance along scientific lines, they should not be allowed to disturb the sound judgment of those members of the Harbour Board to whom Auckland is indebted for a magnificent scheme and admirable work. If -every petty flaw were to be magnified, and all stability and permanence ignored, there could be no progress, which would not only please captious and incompetent critics, but those rival ports which view with envy the laudable change which has come, during quite recent years, over the management of our harbour affairs.