Newnham William Langston Biography 1971

NEWNHAM, William Langston
CBE [Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire] (1925)
Formerly engineer-in-chief, under-secretary PWD [Public Works Department]
Born: Christchurch, 14 October 1888, son of C Newnham; married 1920 Margaret, daughter of J Thornton; 2 sons 1 daughter
Education: Timaru Boys High School, Canterbury University School of Engineering; MICE [Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers], London (council 1948-51, chairman NZ advisory commission), FRSA [Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts]
Engineering cadet PWD 1906; on NIMT [North Island Main Trunk] railway; Central Otago irrigation; North Auckland MT [Main Trunk], Stratford MT; assistant engineer 1911 Balclutha-Tuapeka Mouth, Otago Central railways; in charge Rimutaka diviation investigation 1914
Military service 1916-17
Assistant engineer Gisborne-Napier railway 1917-18; in charge Paeroa 1 year; assistant engineer head office 2 years; designing engineer 1929; inspecting engineer 1936; engineer-in-chief 1941-46; registrar, chief examiner Engineers Registration Board 1924-39 (chairman since 1943); Building Regulations commission after Napier earthquake; reappointed Standards Council 1949, retired 1959; chairman Main Highways Board 1941-46; responsible civil engineer works, NZ, Pacific
World War ll; officer commanding Defence Engineer Service Corps (colonel)
Chairman 1942-57, Soil Conservation & River Control Council; MNZIE [Member of New Zealand Institution of Engineers] (president 1945); chairman Standards Council 1953-59; member Board Health 1952-57; member Marginal Lands Board 1951-57
Published: numerous contributions professional journals, Fulton award 1935 paper protection structural steel work
Private address: Box 661, Rotorua