✨ Waitara Bridge Design Selection
PROVINCE OF TARANAKI
New Zealand Government Gazette.
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY.
Vol. XIX. NEW PLYMOUTH, FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1871. [No. 5.
WAITARA BRIDGE.
Superintendent’s Office,
New Plymouth, March 7, 1871.
THE following letter from J. Blackett, Esq., Acting Engineer-in-Chief, is published for general information.
Fred. A. Carrington,
Superintendent.
Public Works Office,
Christchurch, February 27, 1871.
Sir,—I have the honor to report that I received on Saturday, the case of plans for two Waitara Bridge, which I lost no time in examining, and now beg to forward the result of the examination, in which, I am glad to say, I have been kindly assisted by W. B. Bray, Esq., District Engineer for the General Government in Canterbury.
The plans are ten in number, described as follows by their mottoes, in the order in which they were opened, viz:—
- Veritas vincit.
- A diamond (coloured).
- An anchor.
- Wanganui Bridge.
- A. P. M.
- Nil Desperandum.
- J. D.
- H—t.
- J. D., No. 1.
- P.
Of these Nos. 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, were laid aside, as each containing some points highly objectionable or inapplicable. No. 5 was next laid aside for the same reasons, but to a less degree, leaving No. 1, 6, and 8 for a more prolonged and careful consideration, which resulted in establishing the superiority of the design of No. 8 in all the most material points of the structure. No. 6 coming next, and No. 1 next—in each of the latter, however, are points to which grave objections may be made, from which No. 8 is free.
It will be observed that in 8, 6, 1, and 5 the superstructure is a modification of that known as Howes’ truss girder,—a form in common use in Taranaki, and to which no exceptions can be taken, it being a really useful and simple form of truss (No. 8 gives two plans of this truss—either of which may be adopted).
But in the abutments, piers, bracing, amount of water-way, &c., very great differences of design is observable, and more careful attention seems to have been paid to these points in No. 8 than in the others, rendering this design undoubtedly the best, and to it, therefore, I consider the premium ought to be awarded.
(Motto H—t).
It may be a satisfaction to you and the various competitors to be assured that Mr. Bray and myself are fully agreed in the above conclusion.
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Taranaki Provincial Gazette 1871, No 5
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🏗️ Announcement of Waitara Bridge Design Selection
🏗️ Infrastructure & Public Works7 March 1871
Bridge design, Waitara, Public Works, Engineering, Taranaki
- Fred. A. Carrington, Superintendent
- J. Blackett, Acting Engineer-in-Chief
- W. B. Bray, District Engineer for the General Government in Canterbury