OPENING TE KAWA BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 29, 3 February 1915, Page 7

OPENING TE KAWA BRIDGE.

•m 11 THE GREAT EAST AND WEST ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent.", OTOROHANGA, Tuesday. 1 About 300 settlors and Otorohanga residents uttended the opening of the j bridge over the Waipa on Te Kawa Road to-day. The Hon. Mr. Ilerries. Minister for Railways, and party, arrived from Te Awamutu eoinewhait late, and were entertained to luncheon by the County Council and settlers. Messrs. John aud J. A. Ormsby and C. Phillips waited on the Minister an a deputation, requesting immediate erection of verandah and cream shed at Otoroluinga, also that the public 6hould be notified and allowed to use express trains when same stopped here for any purpose; also that Defence Department rent or subsidise the new town hall for military purposes. The first two requests were practically promised, the third will be investigated, and in the fourth the deputation was referred to the Hon. Mr. Allen.

On an adjournment being madr? to the bridge, Mr. A. Soboles (chairman of the Waitomo County Council) introduced the Minister, who was received with applause. ,

Mr. Berries said he was pleased to perform the opening ceremony on a work which was so important as this bridge. It represented the completion of one of the principal links in that great highway from Kawhia through the King Country and Waikato to the Entst Coast. lAs part of a stock route it had for years been necessary, and now in opening a short route to the railway the Govern- | ment had conferred an inestimable benefit on many settlers. The expending of £5000 ou the bridge would entail immeI diate augmentation of railway revenue. He then called upon Mrs. Geo. Kay, wife of one of the district's first settlers, to I cut the ribbon, and amid -cheers the bridge was declared open.

Mr. W. T. Jennings, member for Taul marunui, heartily congratulated the district on the accomplishment of that for which they had long striven. Fo.r years the east and west highway, although very necessary, could not advance beyond the aubstantiveness of a proposal.

Mr. Young, member for Waikato, said he had always professed the keenest in- : terest it. this work, as he knew its national importance. Every step toI wards the development of the great 1 Kawhia harbour was a movement of great usefulness.

Mr. C. K. Wilson, ex-M.P. for Taumarunni, said he had from the beginning of his memberahip advocated this work, and he admired the manner in which the Waitomo County Council had carried it out.

Mr. John Ormsby, chairman of Otorohangn Town Council, mentioned efforts that had been made thirty years ago to have the bridge built.

Mr Scholes eulogised tlie work of the contractors, Messrs. Scott and Forsyth, ! for the bridge, and Messrs. Culverhouse and Cowley for the earthwork.

Other speakers were Messrs. W. Teasdale, W. Potts, riding member, and J. Culverhouse.

Th-- bridge is some 340 ft long, with 40ft clearance from water level, and an earth filling of nearly 200 ft.