The Trend of Structural Engineering

FEW buildings present so many difficulties to the architect and engineer as cinemas and theatres, and apart from the exacting limitations imposed by various authorities which tend to cause complications, there remains the major question of method of construction. G.E. Cooper

In 1929, the City of Birmingham, together with the Rural District of Meriden and the Urban District of Solihull, reached an agreement on the question of a trunk sewer to be laid through the catchment area of the River Cole. The laying of such a sewer enabled a large part of Meriden and Solihull to be drained effectively, solving the problem of the provision of public health services in the urbanised portion of these districts. It was found impossible to connect the sewer to the existing Outfall Works of the Birmingham Tame and Rea District Drainage Board, and it was therefore decided to erect a new Works, on land already owned by the Board, to which the sewer could conveniently discharge. A. Goode and A.L. Percy

Sir,-Mr. J. F. Butler’s proposed 3 per cent. increase in the professional man’s fees will be applauded by all members; but whence the fees? Big London clients may look upon fees as airy trifles; but in the provinces it is a difficult job to get the average so-called “business man” to realise that an architect serves any other purpose than that of being a necessary evil created to satisfy the local bye-laws.