THE HUTT BRIDGE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1676, 13 April 1904, Page 56

THE HUTT BRIDGE.

OPENED BY THE PREMIER. THE PROPOSED NEW RAILWAY LINE. The big new bridge over the Hutt river was formally opened by the Premier on Friday afternoon in the presence of a large number of local residents and visitors from the surrounding district and Wellington c ty. Amongst those present were the Hons. Jame 9 Carroll and T. Y. Duncan, Messrs T. M. Wilford, W. H. Field and J. Duthie, M.H.R.’s, T. K. Macdonald, M.L.C., and Mi- Orton Stevens (Mayor of the Hutt). The bridge Avars effectively decorated with ferns, palms and flags. _ The Premier, who was received ivith cheers, aptly remarked, “The old gives place to the now. The old bridge has served its -day and the new bridge I Avill open for the convenience of the inhabitants of this part of the colony.” The new structure Avas. he continued, a great boon to the district, but it was more than that —it was practically of national importance. Wellington citizens wore as much interested in it as the Hutt people themselves. He hoped the next function Avouid he the taming of the first sod, by Sir Joseph Ward, of the new straight railway between tlio city and the Hutt. (Cheers.) If tlio draughtsmen who had the plans in hand had not been so slow, the first sod Avouid have been turned a month ago. Hoavever, the world Avas not built in a daw. and when a start Avas made, he hopepd to see the work go along at a rapid pace. The land reqjuired for this new bridge and approaches and other purposes, with buildings thereon, Avas taken from Mr Jounnax at the close of 1902. Compensation was claimed by him to the amount of £3995. The Goversinent offered £2650 in full satisfaction of all claims, and this was eventually accepted. The Hutt Borough Council [undertook to erect the bridge and the Gov* eminent agreed to subsidise it by £1 for £1 up to £SOOO. The contract was let to Mr Maurice O’Connor for £7731, of which the Government share was to be £3865 10s. There being other charges to be met in connection with the erection of the bridge, authorities were issued to the Council UP to £4115 10s, of Avhich £2857 6s 3d had actually been paid to date. The question might be asked, why had nab the cost of the jbridge been provided locally? Well, his answer was that it must be remembered that the necessity of the bridge was not confined to local requirements. A West Coaster had built the bridge, and a West Coaster liad opened it. The work had been done A\ r ell and faithfully, for Av'hen W T est Coasters did things thev did them regardless of expense. Exception had been taken to Ministers “gallivapting round” opening bridges in various parts of the colony, but he considered it an honour for any Minister of the CroAvn to be asked to help in reducing the number of dangerous bridges or increasing the number of needful bridges at dangerous crossings. It was interesting to note that the approximate mileage of dray roads and bridle roads constructed and improved from the inaut»*u ration of the public Works policy to the end of 1893-94 was-Dray roads. 6064 miles; bridle roads, 4736 miles: a total of 10,800 miles. Since the end of 1893-94, and up to the 31st March last, there have been constructed and imnroved: —Dray roads, 9859 miles ; bridle roads, 4795 miles: a total of 14.654 miles. Referring again to the new bridge, the Premier said it had been stated that the construction Avas too high, but it was better that it should be too high than too loav. Bridges on the Rangitikei and other rivers had been washed away through having been built too low. Ho credit to Messrs Field and Wilford~M.H.R.’s, for their efforts towards the Avork, and to all who had had any part in it. Mr Seddon then cut the red, white and blue ribbons, and declared the bridge open for traffic. Bouquets of flowers Avere presented to Miss Seddon by Miss Stevens, _and to Mrs Stevens (the Mayoress) b- Miss Ivy Holland. They were the gifts of the Mayor and the Council. Cheers were given for the Premier. Mrs Seddon, Miss Seddon, the Ministry the members for the district, and the Mayor and Councillors. The party subsequently adjourned to the Bellevue Gardens, where various toasts ware honoured.