FERRO-CONCRETE WHARVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13873, 6 October 1908, Page 3

FERRO-CONCRETE WHARVES.

:. * Sir,l read with interest your, sub-leader Jon the above subject, and must confess that -lain at a . loss" t6 understand it. ; You : state that it is high . time that ' ordinary common sense resumed control of the Board's deliberations when ferro-concrete is under consideration. Of course, the inference is that members who are not prepared to swallow ferro-concrete in any form, ; are devoid of, that commodity. - As I have J been mainly responsible for > bringing this matter before the public, I think, in oom,'mon fairness, I should ; have an opportunity of explaining my; action in the matter. : First, let me state that I bavo not at any time opposed ferro-concrete structures. My: I aim has been to draw attention to the want of' care in supervising pur' works, and it is; [agreed by' all authorities on concrete that any neglect in the manufacture of concrete c means disaster. I unhesitatingly assert, sir, that, it is owing to this want of care on the part of our officials that the Railway Wharf I has so early shown extensive signs of corjrosion. As a proof that this is a far more serious matter than you imagine, I refer you ■ to': the acting-engineer's report, in which he ■Btii.ted.that' 133 piles and 117 braces showed Jsigns of corrosion, that it would cost a considerable sum for repairs, and the engineer to the company's lowest estimate for repairs 11,6*. the section taken over by the Board is £600. Fancy having to face an expenditure like this on work that is.not yet four years r old, and which wo thought was to be permanent!. MJ ,It was my privilege ;,to be shown lover the new cemetery bridge, and I was 'particularly struck with the caro and attention given to every detail by the engineer's department of the City Council, which ) should ensure a good work. If members are to bo accused of a want of ordinary (common sense, because they give valuable time in seeing, that the public get value for ' their money, I am afraid that it will be difficult to got, practical, disinterested men to take seats on the Board. That my efforts have borne fruit is evidenced by the fact that more care is now being taken, and as a result wo are getting.much better work in Queen-street Wharf; even the _ super-, visors tell me it has strengthened their position. With reference to your remarks on .the scheme, I am, positive that the principle 'of running wharves out into the harbour, .across. the tides,' must prove disastrous, and this opinion is shared by the majority of shipmasters who berth their own 6hips, and who, after all,' are the only authorities on this question. : As to. Mr. Homer's holiday, I think ho would have | been better employed .here looking after his work while it was in jtb.o. embryo stage. ';. fortunately for,: the Board, we have in'our acting-engineer a gentleman of, ability, has; given-every .care and attention ." to ; the work, .therefore Miv-Hamer has not been; missed. I also wish to state that the pile drawn was not a fair sample, as it was not a pile made for wharf construction—it was made under ontirely different conditions, and I protested against it being drawn on those grounds. Even, then it did not prove satisfactory, as it showed signs of corrosion, and was considerably shattered. In conclusion, let' me assure you that I am second to none in wishing to see Auckland a progressive, modornly-equipped port. But if drawing attention to faulty construction is to be called hysteria, then I claim to be hysterical to the last degree. J. H. Bisadney. [Wo publish our correspondent's letter, but have nothing to \add to or retract from the views we, have already; expressed.—Ed.]