THE WAIAU BRIDGE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 37, 13 February 1911, Page 6

THE WAIAU BRIDGE.

A meeting of the Committee of the Kaikoura branch of the South Island Main Trunk Railway League was held in the Library on Wednesday evening (states' the Star), Mr Jas. Davidson, President, presiding over an attendance of nine members. The Chairman explained that the object of the meeting was to decide what should be done in regard to the official opening of the Waiau bridge. A letter^ was read from the Cheviot branch of the League intimating that as they looked upon the work as & national undertaking they- would not take the initiative in the opening ceremony. The Chairman stated that, in reply to an inquiry, Mr Marriner had wired informing him that a banquet for 100 people, . exclusive of wine and cigars, would cost £40; he ooujd not state a date for the cere-, irtony. Mr Davidson remarked _that with Cheviot practically refusing to do anything in the matter it was. now for the meeting to decide what form the ceremony should take. It had been suggested that a huge picnic .should be held but the .catering was the difficulty there. Cheviot, he considered, were standing in their own light as the bridge was in the centre of their County, and it would appear peculiar that Kaikoura, should have to take the initiative in such a matter. A suggestion that if Cheviot were dissatisfied with the function carried out

by Kaikoura and held a ceremony on ,tneir own' account afterwards could foe overcome by informing the Minister representing the Government that Kaikoura was carrying out the official ceremony. Mr W. Monk thought that Kaikoura should carry but the function. Cheviot had done their share in the past in carrying out similar' functions so that it would be unfair to force the coming affair on to them. He felt sure, however, that Cheviot would help.

Mr Maude remarked that it was a most extraordinary position, and instanced that, according to the spirit shown by Cheviot, when' the railway reached the Hapuku from the South Kaikoura should stop taking any lead and pass it on to Blenheim. The Chairman said that the matter could not be allowed to go by the board, and if Cheviot would not assist Kaikoura should manfully shoulder the burden and carry it through. Mr Norrie remarked that as Kai-

koura had been informed some time ago that Cheviot would not take the .initiative they had been wasting time. Mr Harrison said that he was extremely disappointed at the attitude taken up. Kaikoura would use the bridge very little compared with the settlers around Cheviot. As far as

Kaikoura was concerned, it would be -better if the affair was allowed to go

by the board. ■ • Mr Solomon (a member of the •Cheviot branch of the League) spoke at the request .of the Chairman. Cheviot, he said, was not going to run away, but wanted Kaikoura iJo take the lead. Qheviot was willing to "help. Kaikoura; had been asleep, and it was now time it woke up and did.

something. i Mr Mayne said that the .difficulty 1 was the carrying out of a function so far away, and that was why Cheviot had been asked to manage; it. Kai- : "koura was willing to pay a fair share of the expenses. He suggested that the Cheviot County_ Council should be asked to give permission to carry out the function. I

Mr Norrie puggesterl that the local branch should^ resign if they have to ask the Cheyiot Council for assistance.

The Chairman thought there would

feponsible, and ho wont out of the service not only with a recognition of the Administration of the day, but with the marked distinction conferred upon him by his Majesty the King— the Imperial Service Order. (Applause.) • • Tho Hon. Dr Findlay said he had been asked to add a? tribute to Mr Logan's services to the State. He (the speaker) had "the privilege on two occassions of being Acting Postmaster General, and they would understand how helpless one felt' when' suddenly .thrust into the administration of a public department like the Post and' Telegraphs. He- thanked Mr Logan for the kindly, guidance and advice he gave him during those months. Mr Logan left the service with an excellent career, and had worked courageously and well. (Applause.) Mr Robertson (secretary) mentioned that if it had not been for Mr Logan they would have been seven years later than they were in having the advantages of the telephone. On behalf of the staff and officer's of the department he wished Mr Logan well in his retirement.

MR LOGAN, JN RESPONSE. Mr Logan, who was warmly-cheered on rising to resi>ond, said he fully appreciated the kind thoughts which accompanied their gift. "It will be a solaco to me," he continued, "to think that I have many friends in the old service which ha,s beon, I may say, my life for forty-six yeans. I joined1 the gang constructing the line from Dunedin to Christchurch about October 20tti 1R64. Later on, in a comparatively short time, my services were in demand, as, there wore few in Now Zealand who had my experience, young as I was, in telegraph matters. I I had made fairly good us© of about i eight years in the British and Irish | Magnetic Telegraph Company in ■ the Old Country. I received an appointment in September, 1865, to take I charge of the work of erecting the Otago Provincial Government line to Quoenstown, then teaching telegraphists and running a small independI ent telegraph service until December ]869, when my line was handed over to the general Government, and my- ' self with it. My official career since that date is, I think, well known to the department, the last seventeen years of service being as superintendent of electric lines." He thanked the Prime Minister for coming there that day, as well as for many past \ acts of consideration to himself, and also thanked the officers of the department who had so kindly contributed towards the presentation. He |. would, as long as lif o lasted, be deeply interested in the progress of the department, and hoped some of the old officers would not forget him when there were any new developments, but would let him know of them and invite him to see them. "I feel," said Mr Logan, in conclusion, "that I am fortunate in being able to retire m good health and under such gratifying circumstances as the appreci-' ation of the Right Hon. the Prime I Minister and the good-will of my fellow officers in the combined Post end Telegraph Department." (Applause.) On the call of Mr W. R. Morris (assistant secretary) a vote of thanks , was passed to the Ministers for their : attendance, and the gathering closed with the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."