N.Z. SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3442, 2 March 1920, Page 43

N.Z. SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

■_ -«g» ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual conference of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers opened on the 24th ult. in the King Edward Technical College. There was a large attendance of delegates, and Mr W. Ferguson (president) occupied the chair. A CTVIO WELCOME. His Worship the Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin, extended a cordial welcome to the delegates. The Chairman, in replying, said that he was sure it was a pleasure to all the delegates to visit the city and to hold their conference here and also to visit some of the eights which were to be seen. appreciated tho hearty welcome accorded them. —(Applause.) REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. The annual report presented by the council stated, inter alia:—"The number of members on the register on March 31, 1919, was 138, the number of associates was 70, and the number of studeits 7;—total, 21b. Of this number one is deceased (Mr Alfred Atkins, of Wellington), and two members have resigned Since the' above date there have been elected 16 members, 12 associates, and one student, and three associates have been transferred to the class of member. The total membership to date is 241. The balance to credit of current account at the bank was, on December 31, £IOO 2s Id, and there is a sum of £l9l 5s 7d in the Post Office Savings Bank. The President, speaking to the clause as to the permanent home for the society, said the council had been endeavouring for a long time to find some suitable home for the society in Wellington. They had had several schemes before them, and had received some good offers. Recently they had had their attention drawn to a very suitable site which was in the hands of the City Corporation, and might be placed under offer to them. He bad received a telegram from the Wellington City Council stating that that body's Finance Committee would consider any offer it received within a reasonable period aftar the Dunedin meeting. It was probable the City Council would part with this property for something like £6500. The site was very central, and rents derived from it amounted to £416 per annum from various sources. The question as to how it was to be financed had been considered, and thecouncil considered that it might be desirable to ask individual members to take up debentures. The sum of £2OOO was required, and the rest could remain on mortgage. Several members spoke in favour of acquiring the site. Ways and ( means were also discussed, several expressing their willingness to assist in a financial direction. One member pointed out that the £416 received in rants, capitalised, represented about £7OOO, and another said that if all took up debentures it would only mean £24 or £25 apiece. It was finally moved that the council, on behalf of 'the society, use its best endeavours to purchase this property a 9 a home for the society. The President mentioned that the canvass of those in the room had proved very satisfactory. The sum of M 605 had been promised in the room, and some members had not yet been approached. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. A ballot for the election of members to the council resulted in Messrs R. W. Holmes, A. J. Patterson, and L. Bides being elected. Messrs Watkin, Hull, and Wheeler were re-elected auditors. The delegates agreed to assist in compiling the history of "Pioneering Engineering Works in New Zealand." LOCAL AUTHORITIES' ENGINEERS ACT. Tine Local Authorities' Engineers Act 4 n it 3 draft form came up for discussion, Mr Couston remarking that he recommended the society to try for something on the lines indicated by Mr Jiokell in his motion. He did not think? they had a chance of getting the Bill through in the manner in which it was submitted at the present time. What was required was to define the status of the engineers and prevent them from practising unless they were members of the society or some such recognised body. It was decided to consider the Bill clause by clause. RULES. On resuming in the afternoon the rules for District Committees and alterations thereto were considered. The President explained that the Registrar of Societies objected to tho retention of the term "branch" to describe local centres of the society, and a 9 his sanction to such rules was necessary, it was - proposed to call them district committees. Objection was taken to this, and it was decided that they be called branches. Other rules were considered and dealt with. NEXT CONFERENCE. Members pressed their claims as to where the next annual conference should be held, and it wa.s finally decided that it be held at Christchurch. SECOND DAY. The annual conference of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers was continued on the 25th. BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION. The President (Mr W. Ferguson) introduced the question of the formation of a benevolent association. He moved that such an institution be formed. Tho motion was carried without discussion, and vules to govern the newly-formed associa'ion were approved. On the election of officials being taken, it was explained that certain positions, including that of president, would be filled ex officio. Mr M'Lean was elected vice-presi-dent ,Mr Holmes a-member of the council,, Messrs F. Williams and F. Freeman to represent the South Island on the council, and Messrs Bennett and F. Hayi,to represent the North Island on the council. Mr [Furkert was appointed secretary, and Messrs Ferguson, Ashley Hunter, and Birks trustees, and Mr Marchbanks treasurer. The Chairman said that, a benevolent association having been formed, it was desirable that a resolution should be passed authorising the council to transfer tho funds, amounting to £261 5s 4d, standing In its books to the oredit of the benevolent fund to the new benevolent association. He moved accordingly.

Mr Cyrus J. R. Williams seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. BRICK MAKING. Mr A. J. Baker. (Dunedin) read a paper on "Brick Making." giving the result of the experiments he had made in the manufacture of bricks for the purposes of constructional work on the Stratford-Main Trunk railway line. ENGINEERING STANDARDS. Mr Holmes moved:—"That this society support the proposal to form a local committee of the British Association of standard specifications." Mr Birks seconded the motion, which was carried. WOOD STAVE PIPES. Mr C. E. Armstrong's paper on the subject of "Wood Stavo Pipes" was read by Mr Furkert. It stated that at - Morere, Hawke's Bay, wooden stave pipes had been used for the purpose of conveying water to the Government baths from, the Morere hot springs. Experience had shown that wooden pipe* were quite .suitable for the purpose, if not the most suitable that could bo obtained, as lihe minerals in the hot water corroded all metals very easily. It also happened at the time that iron piping was almost impossible to obtain. These pipes were manufactured by the Public Works Department "fat Gisborne. Then followed a description of the pipes, together with diagrams showing the pipes in the course of construction. The Chairman said that the naper showed that at very little expense the material available could be used to very good purpose. It made him think that out of xexy little they could get good results. Mr Clapcott asked Mr Furkert what pressure of water they got at Morere. Mr Furkert: Fully 60ft. Mr Clapcott said that at Invercargill they had laid down five chains of "tave piping which was standing a high pressure. The construction of the pipes at Gisborne had been very ingenious. He complimented MiArmstrong on his achievement. Mr Birks said a proposal had been made to use stave pipes in connection with hydro-electrical energy development. At Rotorua wooden pipes had been used, and in places affected by sulphur fumes they were found to be most serviceable. Mr Holmes said the department had only used wooden pipes in case where the cost of cast iron pipes would be abnormally hi £ n - . .' Mr M'Lean said the experience of the Railway Department had been that wooden pipes required very little maintenance. The 'Chairman moved a vote of thanks to Mr Armstrong for his paper. It appeared to him that the wooden pipe as a pipe was a success except in the couplings. The motion was adopted. ARTESIAN WATER SUPPLY. Short papers on " Artesian Water Supply to Christchurch and to Napier," by Mr A. Dudley Dobson and Mr E. A. Williams respectively, were read. The papers_ dealt largely with actual experiences in sinkings in the two localities. The discusson on thes two papers lasted up to close on 6 o'clock, when the conference concluded its business for the day. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The address delivered by Mr W. Ferguson, president of the society, stated that the task of the engineer was to apply labour in the most economical manner and to reduce and eliminate waste as far as possible. The same inventive talent that under the stress of war had produced engines and processes of destruction of mankind ought to be able to evolve machines, processes, and economies to relieve present conditions. He regretted that New Zealand had lagged materially behind the rest of the British Empire. The Board of Science and Industry was to consider all proposals for specific scientific research, and choose and finance "persons or institutions to carry on the work of investigation. The important matter in scientific research work was to get a move on in the direction of utilising tho scientific and observing talent at present available, and to train the younger generation as observers, so that they could take their part in an able manner in scientific investigation and in the ap-, plication of science. CONVERSAZIONE. In the evening members of the society of Civil Engineers attended a conversazione and smoke concert, which was held in the Savoy Rooms. The attendance was a numerous one, and among the few visitors present were the Mayor (Mr W. Begg), the chairman of the Otago Harbour Board (Mr H. L. Tapley), and Cr J. B. Shacklock. The president of the society (Mr W. Ferguson) occupied the chair. The speeches made in connection with the proposals of and replies to the toasts were agreeably interspersed with n.iisical items, which were well received, and in many cases re-demanded.