BALCLUTHA BRIDGE

Evening Star, Issue 21966, 28 February 1935, Page 14

BALCLUTHA BRIDGE

OPENED FOR TRAFFIC NEXT MONTH EARLIER STRUCTURES RECALLED At a meeting of the Clutha County Council on Tuesday it was stated by the clerk that the new traffic bridge at 13alclutha would be opened for traffic about the third week in March, and that tho official opening would take place on April 5 or (5. The Prime Minister had intimated that he would attend if possible, or would arrange for a representative. The bridge, which has been over two years under construction, is now nearing completion and is a very handsome structure indeed. The opening function promises to be a red-letter day for the district, and it is expected that visitors from all parts of the dominion will be present. The arrangements as to what form the function will take are not yet completed, but it is anticipated that the local bodies concerned will endeavour to make them worthy of the occasion. In view of the near approach of the opening of the new structure, it is interesting to recall the ceremony in connection with the opening function of the first bridge over the Molyneux at Balclutba. This was commenced on August 12, 1866, and was opened on October 8, 1868. According to the ‘ New' Zealand Herald.’ of November 2, 1868, there was a good display of bunting in tho township, and the bridge was decorated with two triumphal arches. At 4 o’clock a procession was formed, when the local lodges of Freemasons, Foresters, and Oddfellows turned nut in regalia, headed by a brass band and a piper. Mr Mills waa marshall, and there were about 700 people present, including the mayor of Dunedin and a number of Dunedin citizens. The Hon. James Macandrew, having walked under the Masonic arch erected in the centre of the bridge. Miss Isabella Barr, daughter of Mr John Barr, one of the first settlers in tho town, broke a bottle of champagne and wished success to the undertaking amid hearty cheers. His Honour then declared the bridge formally and lawfully opened for traffic and addresses were given by various persons of prominence. The total cost of this bridge was £17,000. and the contractor was Mr VV. Murray. In the “Old Man Flood,”of 1878, a considerable portion of this bridge was washed away, and it was decided to erect a new structure. The Clutha County Council, acting for the Balclutha Borough Council. Bruce County Council, and themselves, on February 16, 1880, accepted the tender of Mr John Watson, of Dunedin, for the erection of a new bridge at a cost of £lO,793. The bridge was formally opened on Monday, February 14, by Hon. James Macandrew. Minister of Public Works. Tho day was proclaimed a public holiday, the shops, hotels, and .other buildings were gaily decorated and the greatest excitement prevailed. Proceedings opened with a procession led by Mr John Sharp (piper) and a guard of honour of the Clutha Rifles under Captain Parmenter, ( school children, and lodges taking part in the procession. There was an attendance of over 2,000, and the opening ceremony took place at mid-day, the procession afterwards going across the bridge and back again to the Crown Hotel, where a banquet was held in honour of the occasion. At night there was a iireworks display, followed by a‘ free invitation ball, which wqs attended by over 300. The final cost of the bridge was in the vicinity of £13,000, of which the three local bodies found £1,491. This bridge has done service up till the present, but large sums have been spent on repairs, and also on an addition after a heavy flood about 1919. Its fate when the new structure is opened will be dismantling. The Miss Isabella Barr (mentioned in connection with the opening of the first bridge) is still resident in Balclutha, being Mrs B. Whiting. There are one or two other residents in the town who saw the three bridges built and they have watched the progress of the new bridge with more than ordinary interest.