CENTENARY OF WAIMATE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27406, 20 July 1954, Page 12

CENTENARY OF WAIMATE

Foundation Stone Laid By Minister CEREMONY HELD IN RAIN (From Our Oion Reporter) WAIMATE, July 19. Near the spot where, 100 years ago, Mjchael Studholme crossed the Waimate river to become the first white settler in the district the foundation stone of a commemorative bridge was laid this afternoon. Officiating at the ceremony was the Minister of Works (Mr W. S. Goosman), watched by descendants of Michael Studholme and of the Maori chief, Te Huruhuru with whom the first Mr Studholme formed a land agreement. Rain spattered down on the knot of about 200 townspeople gathered on the old wooden bridge to watch the ceremony. Except for a short time in the morning the day was miserable and left most of the gathering wondering why Mr Studholme set out fpr his new home in the depth of winter. But the discomfort of the rain, the greasiness of the mud underfoot, and the cold of the wind were forgotten while the black marble slab was lowered into position and while three cheers were vigorously given. The bridge, which has yet to be designed by the Waimate county engineer (Mr W. P. Black), will represent the passage of time. Abutments and the general style of the structure will be of the early English period; the deck will be of pre-stressed concrete according to latest engineering practice. Many different kinds of stones drawn from all parts of the district will be used in the construction of the abutments.

“We will try as far as possible to embody all the stones of the district in the bridge,” said Mr Black, describing the conglomerates, volcanic rocks, sandstones, and greywacke he intends to use in the design. The celebration of a centenary was an occasion of first importance in a district, said Mr Goosman. “May I wish you the, greatest success with your celebrations. May the weather man be a little more kind to you than he has been. “This is the site where the first white settler crossed the last river before setting up his home. The fortitude of those pioneers seems wonderful to us living in the modern world. When Michael Studholme set out from Christchurch he faced a journey lasting three weeks; today it took me four and a half hours to come from Wellington,” said the Minister. “Major Rattray [the county chairman and a previous speaker] said that I had passed over responsibility for building the bridge to the National Roads Board. In a measure I have. But with a special project such as this I think I would still have some say in the matter. If the,borough and the county see that this bridge gets a little priority we will see if we can get it built soon.” Major N. A. Rattray, chairman of the Waimate County Council, said that the ceremony marked a “very significant day in our history. We are building a bridge over the river which Michael Studholme crossed to establish his home and his dynasty. I hope you will help us with it. We want to build something a little different, something which will represent the period’ in which Michael Stud-

holme lived and the period in we live." e , roll g Always there had been a svr bond of friendship between the P^ e of the borough and the P e °P*£-j-jate county, said the Mayor of {he (Mr W. Boland), as he op* n ®“ on e ceremony. "This bridge will « more link in the chain binding It was pleasing to see people at the ceremony. members of the Studholme family descendants of Chief Te HurJ- r (Mrs T. Hills, a great grand djjjgj of the chief, and Mr J. T. HuH 111 a grandson), said Mr Boland.

Tomorrow the celebrations w« tinue with a procession at children’s sports at 2 p.m., centennial ball in the evening* i