Masonry Construction. Discussion on Mr. S. B. Hamilton's Paper.

The CHAIRMAN (Mr. M. B. Buxton, M.C., M.A., A.M.Inst.C.E., Vice-president) said that Professor Batho needed no introduction to members of the Institution, for his work at Birmingham University was well known, and his name appeared in many scientific reports. This paper on the effect of concrete encasement was of the greatest interest to members.

THE American Concrete Institute has recently published an analysis of the number of rigid frame bridges built during the last decade, and these figures show in a striking fashion the remarkable and steady increase in this type of construction in the United States. In 1926 the number of portal frame bridges built was seven, in 1931 it had risen to 39 per annum, and the number constructed in 1936 was 81. About 70 per cent. of the portal frame bridges since 1922 have been of a single span. W. Fisher Cassie

Niamh McCloskey reflects on her personal experience of the challenging reality of returning to work after maternity leave, questioning whether workplaces truly support women in this transition and highlighting how, with the right support and recognition of the new perspectives and skills that motherhood can bring, we can retain mothers and allow them to thrive in underrepresented industries.