THE HARBOUR BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20303, 10 July 1929, Page 14

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE.

Sir,--My attention has been drawn to a letter in the Herald signed by "John Citizen" and referring to a paper read by myself before a joint meeting of engineers and architects. His impression that the aesthetic is riot considered by a bridge engineer in his design is quite incorrect, as the following extract from my paper will show: "A bridge engineer's training is incomplete unless it includes that degreo of architecture applicable, fitting, and warranted in the specific case." The point I tried to make was that collaboration between an engineer and an architect was not necessary to produce a structure) beautiful and harmonious as well n:; strong, efficient and economical, and this your correspondent admits, as he states that certain photographs shown were cf undeniably beautiful structures; further, that such collaboration had, in certai.i cases instanced, resulted in great extravagance, and yet not succeeded in satisfying the artists. Certain photos, are referred to as being atrocious objects to gaze upon, and I understand that one in particular*, an extremely light suspension bridge, was universally condemned by tl.e architects present. The raison d'etre of this structure was carefully explained at the time. It had been cut to the last ounce in weight and penny in price, for tho reason that if it could not have been built for the money appropriated, it would not have been built at all. It was not exhibited as an example of bridge design likely to excite the admiration of tie aesthetically inclined. Your correspondent need have no fear that a structure similar to this will ever be built over the Waitemata Harbour. It is quite unsuitcd to such a site. Stanley W. Jokes.