ACROSS THE HUTT

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 48, 24 February 1917, Page 9

ACROSS THE HUTT

NEW SUSPENSION BRIDGE

OPENING •".CEREMONY

Settlers from all over the .Upper Hutfc district were present' yesterday afternoon at • the opening of the new private ferroconcrete suspension bridge which has been, erected .over, the Hutt River at Hakaretu (Maori Bank) for Messrs. Whitemah and Cottle, by Mr. Joseph Dawson", the well-known bridge constructor. The ceremony of opening the new structure was.performed by, Mr. T. M. Wjlfoi'd M.P Amongst those.pre-sent-were the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke),: Mr.-. A. W Hogg • (ex-M.-P.-for Masterton), Captain Post,- Mr. G. E. Daniell, 'and members of the various local bodies. ■ ' ■•.•'■■

There has long been a great need for a bridge suitable for handling heavy traffic, and connecting both sides of the river in the vicinity of Maori Bank, and Messrs. ■ Whiteman ■ and ; Gottle's enterprise in proceeding with ths'construction of the bridge • in spite of all the ' set-backs occasioned ■ "by' the, river has been much appreciated. The new bridge is of a somewhat novel character, inasmuch ;as . it is entirely constructed of iron and ferro-concrete, no .wood at all being used. ■ It is. about 120 ft long, and of-ample : width to accommodate any vehicle that is likely to use it. On efther bank 'are two whitepainted towers of reinforced • concrete and connected together by means of a graceful arch. ' On top bf the. towers are massive iron 'tastings with twelve iron wheels on each tower, to support the tobies. The. anchor rods are 16 'in number of 2iri iron, . connected to the anchors with large iron washers. The eight cables have each a breaking strain of 75 tons, or a total strain of 600 tons. There are 62 suspension rods, attached to the cables with reinforced ohk^b clips at intervals of five feet. The girders are of trussed railway iron, spaced at five feet centres, with curved corrugated iron between, to support the concrete flooring. The total weight of the bridge on (he cables is 50 tons. The finished cost of. the whole structure is in the vicinity of £1400. ' ' '■■ In declaring the bridge formally open Mr. AVilford said that New Zealand was lucky to have sucli a man as Mr. Joseph Dawson. Nearly every, bridge that had been constructed in ,the North' Island for the past forty years Mr. Dawson had had some connection with, and if he could make a suggestion to the National Government it was that Mr. Dawson be appointed Government supervising bridge engineer ■ as a recognition of the yeoman service he had rendered, not only the farmers and the settlers, but the Dominion as a whole. He had- much pleasure in declaring the bridge officially opened for traffic. To a non-technical eye the structure looked solid enough • to last at least a century, and he (the speaker) had no doubt it would. "If it doesn't last at least 200 years," interposed the builder, "the owners may came on me for damages at the end of that time." (Laughter.) ' Mrs. Whiteman performed the actual ceremony of cutting the ribbon, which was done " with a pair of silver scissors presented by Mr Dawson. The first to cross was Miss Myra Post, youngest daughter of Captain and Mrs. C F. Post.

As. the day was decidedly hot, an adjournment was made to the other side of the river, where, under the cool shade of the willows, refreshments were served. Further tributes to Mr. Dawson's work were made by Mr. J. P. Luke, who said he could only reiterate the former speaker's words. ■, As a professional engineer he had thoroughly inspected the bridge, and, in his opinion, it was one of the best examples of suspension bridge architecture he ha-d seen in New Zealand. It was strong'and well-finished, 'and he took this opportunity of congratulating Mr. Dawson.on his latest .achievement. Mr. Luke also referred to the anomalies of municipal taxation in regard to areas like the Hutt Valley, and hoped they would soon be remedied,.

Mr. A.;W. Hogg said that Mr Dawson's aim in life was to help the strug: gling settlers and to make their lot easier. His manner of doing this took the form of building bridges, and by thus.improving transit and bringing the town nearer to the backblocks, he was improving the conditions under which many of the farmers of this country existed.l. Mr. Hogg said he knew' of at least three cases in which Mr. DawsoH had built such bridges without a penny of pay, solely to help the people of the backblocks. (Applause.) - Continuing, 'the speaker said that the action of Messrs. Whiteman and Cottle in building so fine a bridge without appealing to the Government for help was greatly to be praised, and that example might well be followed in other . pa.rts of the country. Councillor Howell also paid a tribute to.tha work of. Mr. Dawson and Messrs. Wliiteman and Cottle, and the health,of Mr., Dawson was drunk with musical honours. - . •-- ' . . ■ - ,

Mr. Georgetti, a member of the Land Board, spoke of the uphill fight Mr. Dawson had had to g'et'his work recognised, and he related how Mr. Dawsonhad erected, a bridge near 1 Rangitikei at a saving of £1200 to the Government." He was a public benefactor. ;■ Councillor Howell, of the Hutt County Council, also referred to-.Mr. Dawson's good work. „ .: . ■ • ' -Mr. W. Cottle.ahdMr. Frank Whiteman briefly thanked the speakers and gave their reasons for pushing on ...with the bridge-and 1 its importance in opening up fresh.land. : ■ - Mr. Dawson, in replying to the various speakers, gave an interesting account of, his work ever since the bridge first commenced, and mentioned the help lie had received from Mr. M'Gee and Mr. Ma-l- t colm, who were., associated with him.

The new bridge is situated in probably the prettiest spot in the whole of. the Hutt River, and is set a-gainst a background of waving green willows.