SLICK WORK.

Auckland Star, Issue 38, 14 February 1929, Page 11

SLICK WORK.

BRIDGE-MAKING MADE EASY. ENGINEERS ON THE JOB. SKI; VKKAISLK POX TOO X STIUXTI'KE. No more serviceable pontoon bridge was e\er thrown across a river than that from which the troops were taken back to the warships lying off Ked Beach after the battle of Woofit this morning. I'iie bridge, the work of the Xorthern Depot, Xew Zealand Field Engineers, was the centre ot interest among visitors to the scene of the landing after the "Cease Fire'' bugle had sounded.

With the men of the Ist Auckland Battalion safely landed, and well 011 their way across country to root out the defending forces, the mine-sweeper Wakakura, sending up an important-looking column of black smoke, came slowly in towards the beach, towing the big barge Rambler, well known along the Auckland waterfront.

On board the barge every available inch of deck space was in use, the pontoons and other material for the bridge being packed high along its entire length. Behind the Wakakura came a launch, towing boat loads of the engineers who were to sort out the material on the barge and quickly form it into a bridge.

Making light work of her tow, the Wakakura nosed her way as near in shore as she dared before casting off, when the bluff-bowed and clumsy-looking Rambler was taken in charge by the smaller boats. An outboard motor boat, specially requisitioned "for the occasion, and manned by men of the navy, shot out from the side of the barge, sending up a feathery billow of water on either side, and some fifty yards out from the shore an anchor was dropped well astern. A second anchor was let go over the bow, and in a twinkling the barge was held fast, parallel with the beach, 011 which a light surf was pounding. Next two cutters, rowed in true naval style, came in and ran their bows gently into the sand. From each jumped half a dozen white-clad figures carrying stout lines. Without fuss the men waded through the shallow water, and doubled smartly tip the beach. One party made their line fast to a pohutukawa tree at the fringe of the beach; the other, with no conveniently placed tree to help them, tied their line to a stake driven into the beach. Their job completed the bluejackets returned to their boats. Everything was done in workmanlike fashion: there was no dawdling (a burly petty officer with a voice which must have carried quite a distance towards the spectators watching from the main Wliangaparaoa road saw to that part of the business!) Engineers Take Over. With the Rambler securely moored, the engineers got quickly to work. Pontoons and barrel piers were dumw-d unceremoniously into the water, <®1 the men set about converting the tangle into a first-class pontoon bridge. To the civilian spectators along the shore matters looked a bit muddled—the pontoons and

"etceteras" which were to go towards the making of the bridge resembling so many pieces of a jig-saw puzzle lloating oil tie calm sea. I3nt to the men engaged 131 the building of the bridge it was all plain sailing. One of the pontoons was manoeuvred into position a little distance out from the side of the barge, and made fast bv means of baulks, three in number. Across the baulks were laid chesses, so forming a perfect planked surface. At either side were lashed the ribbons, and the first stage of the bridge was completed. Three more pontoons were similarly made ii~e of, and the work took 011 the appearance of a very handy bridge. For the shallower water barrel piers were used in place of pontoons, and when four of these were bolted in position and the decking and ribbons either fitted or lashed in position, the bridge was completed. Under Inspection. Moving ever so slightly to the rise and fall of the tide, the bridge looked solid enough to hear the weight of anything that was likely to be put upon it, and the engineers viewed it with pardonable pride. Hardly was the hist ribbon beam lashed in position than Major-General Young, accompanied by several of his stall' officers, walked along it on to the Rambler. If looks counted for anything, the General was well pleased with the job.

Actually the mooring of the barge and the construction of the bridge occupied about thirty-live minutes, but some delay was caused owing to the late arrival of one of the boatloads of engineers from the warships. Except for this one failing, it is claimed that the bridge would have been rigged inside twenty minutes.

Xot officially a member of the engineering party, a black cattle dog appeared-as proud of the job as the most enthusiastic "non com." While the work was in progress the dog. about whose presence no questions were asked, moved almost impatiently among the men, apparently not hindering anyone in his duties, and an occasional gleeful bark told those on shore that everything was going along its appointed lines. With the completion of the work Ruff (if his name was that) bounded happily ashore, his head held high, and a length of blue ribbon training from around his neck.