BUILD FOR TIME !

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6749, 22 February 1909, Page 2

BUILD FOR TIME !

A PLEA FOR INTELLIGENT ENGINEERING. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT DISCUSSED. Addressing those assembled at tho function in connection with the opening of the Dawson suspension bridge at Lower Hutt on Saturday, tho Minister for . Labour, Hon. A. W. Hogg, reverted to the discussion which arose out of telegraphed reports of his recent Wnirarapa speech, m which ho made reference to the Dominion’s engineers.

It had been stated that in a accent speech, said Mr Hogg, he was rather severe on some of the Dominion’s engineers. He could only believe that tip had been misunderstood. He had never made any general attack on the engineers of New Zealand, and such an attack would be quite unwarranted. But in all trades they would find men who did not advance with the times. In their day these men were' all that could be desired—they were trained in a good school, and their training was sound. But their minds were without elasticity, and they became “fossilised” (he believed that was what they termed it). When young their minds were receptive, but when they had learned all they thought they required to learn they refused to go another step forward. This was what the constructor of these suspension bridges had had to; contend with. These were tho typo of men ho had referred to in his speech up-country. It was desirable that they should have in" constant consultation with the officers of their Public Works Department tho very best engineering talent that was to be found. They id with them that day, in the person of Mr Blow, Under-Secrctary to tho Public Works Department, a gentleman who was full of energy, and had 1 unmistakably the courage of his opinions— who would not hesitate to reprove himself (Mr Hogg) did the occasion warrant. . They were to be congratulated on having such an officer. But public works (and Mr Blow; would agree with him here) were still in their infancy in. New Zealand. Still, they had public buildings in many centres lat they might justly take a jirido in. Reconstruction had boon undertaken or was in contemplation in many others. Their railways were being renewed—in fact, were being not only renovated, but revolutionised, and a lot of the credit for that belonged to Mr Blow. What they must aim at at all times were public works of a class which would bo of service not only to the users now, but to those who were to follow. It was essential hat they should adopt ideas that wore modem, and in nothing did this apply .more- than in bridge-building. Compare the simple structure they stood upon with- their great truss bridges built on piles that were an obstruction to the current and invitation to disaster, and mark how great was the improvement. The life-time of the lighter structure was greater; its cost of construction was considerably less. To show them that it was no trumpery structure, he would tell them that the engineer had said lie was going to take his ten ton steam roller across it.