BRIDGE REDESIGNED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19779, 28 October 1927, Page 13

BRIDGE REDESIGNED.

MISTAKE IN DRIVING PILES. ALLEGATION OF CARELESSNESS. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT. 3 TE AROHA, Thursday. An allegation that a miscalculation in placing certain piles to carry the Waihou River Bridge, now in course of construction near Te Aroha, was duo to gross carelessness on the part of the clerk of works, was made at last night's meeting *>f the Te Aroha Borough Council by Mr. Stanley Jones, of Messrs. Jones and Adams, Auckland, engineers in charge of the work. The matter was introduced by a report from Mr. T. G. James, clerk of works, who said that on May 12 last the foreman of works had made a mistake in driving the piles for the No. 1 abutment 3ft. 6in. out of place. Instructions had «ince been given for the lengthening of the bridge by sft. 6in,, and the deepening of excavations; but the work had been interfered with by the discovery of a spring. Mr. Jones, who attended the meeting in his capacity of consulting engineer to the council, which is the controlling body, Paid between them the clerk of works and foreman had driven some piles 3ft. Sin. out of the longitudinal position, although measurements had been carefully set out. " I blame the clerk of works particularly, and the foreman," said Mr. Jones. " The clerk has plenty of time to see that the "work is correctly carried out. He certainly should have checked the placing of the piles." Mr. Jones said he had redesigned the bridge to plans approved by the Public Works Department. The original design ■would not bo affected, but the bridge would be 3ft. 6in. longer. The contractor, Mr. Wilcox, of Auckland, would have to bear the expense. Mr. Carroll defended the clerk pf" works on the ground that it was his duty to discover only, and not to prevent, accidents.

Mr. Jones: I have carried out inspecting work for the Admiralty and the Governments of two countries. It was the Clerk's duty to set out the work in a proper manner, and the mistake was due to gross carelessness.

The Mayor, Mr. R. Coulter, expressed disappointment at the delay involved, and moved that the council approve of the alterations outlined by Mr. Jones, and Sanctioned by the Public Works Department. .The motion was carried.