THE NEW BRIDGE AT A FREDTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1261, 30 April 1896, Page 39

THE NEW BRIDGE AT A FREDTON.

Tho new bridge over the Tiraiunca River at Alfredton, opened on Thursday, forms the third bridge erected over tho river within tho last three years in the neighbourhood of tho homesteads of Messrs

Saunders and Napier, about five miles from the township. The bridge is on the Alfredton-Wober roads. It was designed by Air Bromnor, county engineer, and erected by Air Joseph Dawson, of Pahiatua, and is a fine, substantial structure. Of tho cost (about jCIOOO), a sum of £ 100 has been contributed by tho Government. Tho bridge was formally opened by Airs W. J. Saunders, in the presence of over 200 settlors, a good proportion of whom wore ladies. After cutting the tape and smashing a bottle of champagne, Airs Saunders christened the bridge "Tiraumea No. 2,” and said its erection was another proof of the kindness of the Government to the district. Tho company thou sat down on tho bridge in front of a long table of Pin boards, which supported a spread as inviting as it was abundant. The ladies who cooked and provided tho luncheon had dressed the table beautifully with flowers and evergreens, and a canopy of tarpaulins overhead tram,formed tho bridge into a commodious marquee. Besides the settlers, there were guests from different parts, including Wellington. The lion T. Thompson, Ministor of Justice, represented the Government, and Air and Mrs A. \V . Hogg wore among the visitors. The festivities, owing to tho late arrival of some of tho visitors, lasted till long after sundown, and the tables, lit up with candles, presented a singular but strikingly pretty spectacle. Air Eli Smith, county representative, occupied tho chair. After tho loyal toasts were disposed of, tho health of the Ministry, coupled with tho name of tho Hon Air Thompson, was drunk with musical honours.

Tho Hon T. Thompson, in responding, apologised for the Premier, whom pressure of work had prevented from being present. He had lived over JO years in the North Island, he said, but this was his first visit to the Wellington back country. Ho was pleased to see so many ladies present, because it showed they wore taking an interest in political questions. They had become a great factor, and would have to bo reckoned with during the coming elections. Tho many kindly enquiries for tho Premier afforded him pleasure, because they showed that the Hon Air Sodden had a secure place in the hearts of the people. Tho Alfredton district had tho name of being Conservative, but they appeared to get along very well with a Liberal Government and a Radical member. (Laughter.) Roads and bridges lie considered the life-blood of settlement, and he considered it would be much belter to spend money on such works than on use-

less railway lines. If further borrowing was indulged in ho trusted that roads and bridges would receive first consideration. He complimented tlieir chairman and tho County Council on what they had done. With regard to tho Government, ho said lie thought ho could claim for them tho credit of doing what they could for the workers of tho Colony, and especially for the new settlers in tho bush. Their object was by practical legislation to improve the condition of the people. The Minister of Railways had made valuable concessions to the country settlers; the Minister of Lands had endeavoured |to place the* acquisition of homes within the reach of the masses j the Premier was identified with every movement for the general good; and the Post-

master-General was now reforming tho telegraph system by reducing tho rates. He could say for himself and the new members of the Cabinet that they would assist the other .Ministers to tlieir utmost in the policy which they were carrying out. Referring to tho attitude of our contemporary towards their land policy, he remarked that it said volumes for tho Goverment that such a virulent Opposition journal spoke in tho highest terms of this policy. Captain Russell, tho Opposition leader, had admitted that if his party came into power they would not disturb tho Government policy. In conclusion, he referred to Air A. W. Hogg, M.H.lt., as being indefatigable and pertinacious in securing useful measures for settlers. (Applause.) Tho Chairman proposed the toast of “ The Parliament of New Zealand,” to which Air Hogg, A 1.11.11., responded in appropriate terms. The other toasts woro “The Engineer” (Air Bremner), “Tho Contractor” (Air J. Dawson) and “The Ladies.” A number of songs were sung at intervals by some of the ladies and gentlemen present.