MINISTER FOR WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 60, 11 March 1915, Page 8

MINISTER FOR WORKS.

NETHERTON BRIDGE OPENED.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent),

PAEROA, Wednesday. The Hon. W. Fraser, after receiving deputations at Paeroa to-day, proceeded to Netherton, via Hikutaia and Wharepoa.

At Nctherton the Minister was welcomed by the settlers of the district, and was heartily cheered. The Nctherton people entertained him at dinner in the public hall. Mr. S. J. Laughlin, who presided, welcomed Mr.. Fraser to -the district. Several speeches were made and. several toasts were honoured. The Hon. W. Fraser's health was drunk with musical honours.

After dinner the party proceeded to the bridge, where a large crowd from Paeroa had gathered. The chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council welcomed the Minister, and he was heartily grWtcd as he stepped upon the platform. Those on the platform included H. M. Corbett .(chairman-Ohinemuri County Council), and Miss Corbett, H. Poland, M.P. for the district, and Mrs. Poland. Messrs. M. G. Power (Mayor of Waihi), H. .Lowe (Mayor of Thames), W. Norrel (Mayor of Te Aroba), R. W. Bagnall .(chairman of the Thames County: Council), H. R. Young (resident engineer of the Public Works Department), E. W. .Porritt (president of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce), H. Biggwithcrs (district engineer), W. Gavin (inspecting engineer of the Public : Works . Depart--ment). A. Chubbard (managing director of the T. V. Dairy Co.), Messrs. Kennedy, and Taylor (contractors who built the ;bridge), and the members of the Ohinemuri County Council. .

.'. Mr. Fraser, in . replying to . his welcome, expressed pleasure at being-present on the-auspicious occasion, and gave a short resume of the circumstances and trials leading up to the ' erection of the bridge. The actual cost of the bridge was £5,530, of ivhich amount Pub V.c Works Department-had contributed £2,300". The balance had been raised by special rate over Paeroa and ■Netherton. The work had. been commenced in TOEj.but owing to 'difficulties, had been delayed for some time.. MrJ Fraser expressed surprise at seeing such a vast extent of first class land which, was just being brought into use.- |

Other speakers at the opening included Mr. H. Poland, M.P., Messrs. Corbett, Bagnall, L.owe, Power, and Norrel.

After the speeches, Mr. Kennedy, on behalf of the contractors, presented the with a. pair.of silver, scissors suitably engraved. Mr. Fraser handed Miss Corbett the scissors, and asked her. to cut the ribbon.across the bridge. After the ribbon.was cut Mr..'Eraser*declared the bridge officially opened for traffic. This_ evening the "Minister; is being entertained at .'a banquet by rthe Ohinemuri .County Council and the Paeroa Chamber of .Commerce.'. . '»