LONGEST IN WORLD

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 2 December 1933, Page 9

LONGEST IN WORLD

BRIDGE) OVER ZAAIBESI RIA 7 ER. AVOiRIK FOR, FIVE YEARS Particulars of what will be the longest bridge in the world, at present being built over the lower Zambesi River in the wilds of. Portuguese East Africa, were brought to Sydney recently by Air J A. Edge, accountant to tho resident engineer (says the “Sydney Alorning Herald”). He was en route to his home in Auckland to spend six months’ furlough. The bridge, said Air Edge, which is being built by the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Co., Ltd., wa's commenced in September, 1930, and is expected to bo completed in 1935. It will have 33 spans each 390 feet long, and will be used only as a railway bridge on the Capc-to-Cairo route. The. cost, it is estimated, will be mqre than fc1.250,000 sterling. Describing the conditions under whieh the bridge-builders worked, Air Fclgo said that the camp was 190 miles front the coastal town of Beira, and the only means of transport was by rail, (ho country being too rough for the construction of roads. Tho work was being carried out by about- 100 white men and 2000 natives. The majority of the natives were either Angoni or Anguru. The Anguru. had an annoying custom of digging up dead bodies, and to prevent this, it was necessary to bury bodies between two layers of lime and place a quantity of concrete on top of them. The Angoni, who had caused considerable trouble in the missionary days, had become much more civilised, and were excellent workers. 'The camp was situated close to the grave of Afis Livingstone, wife of the famous explorer, who was buried near a little Portuguese church. “Wild animals of every description prowl round the camp,” said Air Edge. “The first night I was there four lions passed the door of the hut, hut the animals do not show any ferocity until angered.” Air Edge brought with him the skins of two leopards, which he shot within a mile of the camp.