SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 5

SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

ANNUAL CONFER ENCE. CHRISTCHURI U, February 22. The annual conference of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers opened this morning, Mr Cyrus Williams presiding. The Minister of Public Works paid a tribute to the engineers of the Public Works Department, who had controlled the department without a single scandal. The profession should be placed on the highest possible standard, and he was prepared to help in this respect. He recognised that the envelopment, of the dominion depended upon the calibre of those who controlled the country's public works, and he hoped that before long there would be some general agreement as to legislation that would help the engineers and be of lasting benefit to the country. The annual report stated that the membership was 276, that the council would continue its efforts to have a suitable Act dealing with the profession passed, and that a property in Wellington bad been secured as a home for the society. Regret was expressed at the small response to the invitation made to members to take up debentures to pay off the loan on the property. It was urged that a stop should tie put to the practice of canvassing for work, which was considered by many members to be unprofessional. A committee was appointed to consider what was professional etiquette, and report to the conference. Mr E. W. M'Lenn was elected presi dent, Messrs Jas. Burnett and F. W. Eurkert. vice-presidents, Mr W H. Mor- , ton hon. secretary, and Messrs J. Blair Mason, W. E. Bush, and N. Urofton Staveley members of the council.