Opening of the Armagh Street Bridge.

** To-day at noon his Worship the Mayor formally opened the new bridge in Armagh street, in presence of the Mayor elect, the City Councillors, the President of the Indus* trial Association, tbe President of the Working Men's Olub, and many other citizens. At the time appointed Mr A. Ayers asked the Mayor to deolare the bridge opeD, saying that it afforded him great pleasure to do ao in respect to a bridge whioh was superior to any of the similar structures in the city, both in workmanship and in its substantial oharaoter. The whole work had been done well, and was a credit to the contractor and to the engineer. He hoped it would remain as a monument to the Mayor whose honoured name it bore, when the bridges whioh bore the names of presiding Mayors were gone. He hoped that in future all bridges would be constructed out of borrowed money and not out «f the rates, for suoh uadortakings were fairly chargeable to future generations. (Applause.) His Worship had great pleasure in complying with Mr Ayers' request. The new bridge would be a great convenience to the public, was a very subttantial struoture, and would be an ornament to the city. He had been reminded by an old resident that at one time it had been contemplated that Armagh street should be dosed for the purpoio of making the Government pro* perty there oompaot. Had such a course been followed it would, he thought, have been a oalamity to tbe city. (Hear.) He had great pleasure in declaring the bridge open to the public No time should be lost in letting them have the use of it. Tkree oheers were then given for the Mayor, and one oherr more for Mrs Budden* klau. A number of vehiolei, whioh had been kept by their drivers waiting for the proper moment were then rapidly driven aoross the bridge and the oeremony closed. Afterwards his Worship entertained those who had takes part in the ceremony at a lunoh, catered for by Mr Warner, of the Commercial Hotel. After justice had been done to the viands, His Worship the Mayor proposed "Suooess to the new bridge." All must have but one opinion as to the substantial nature 'of the structure, which would last for this and another generation at least. He remembered the tine when there was but one bridge, the Papanui bridge, as it was then called. Since then every street had been bridged, and many re-bridged, each structure being an improvement on that whioh preceded it. '.the toast was drunk enthusiastically. The Mayor then proposed "The health of the Surveyor who designed and the Contractor who constructed the bridge." He complimented both gentlemen on their work. The toast was drunk with oheers. Mr Walkden, City Surveyor, acknowledged the oempliment, and expressed his indebted* ness to Mr Drewett and the oontraotdr, the Utter of whom had carried out the work with unprecedented oare and oonsoientiousness. (Applause.) Mr Gregg briefly reipoßdea. He was glad that the bridge pleased, and hoped he would have the task of ereotieg the next one. (Laughtsr.) Mayor-Elect Hulbert proposed the health of the Mayor, as host. (Applause.) The toast did not require comment, but the present occasion, whioh was almost the last publio aot of the Mayor, was a suitable opportunity for spesking of the admirable way in which the Mayor had carried out the duties of his offioe.- (Applause.) The toast was drunk with three oheers, and one for Mrs Buddenklau. His Worship replied in happy terms, acknowledging the friendly manner in whioh the toast had been raoeived. This oloisd the proceedings.