THE ROXBURGH BRIDGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6740, 21 September 1883, Page 2

THE ROXBURGH BRIDGE.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE,

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(KItOJI OVU OWN.HEPOBTEK.) 1 Roxburgh, September 20 The ceremony of laying tho foundation-stono o£-the new bridge over the Molynenx at Teviot was performed by Mr V. Pyke, M.H.R., this afternoon. The now bridge is to be a suspen-sion-bridge, and its site is about 100 yards below the-site_ of the bridge that was swept away by tho flodS~ln~lß7S—it-ia-cntinrattd that the work will cost about £11,000, and the erection of piers and abutments now contracted for will cost about £4500. The commencement of the work ia regarded with great interest, and a largo number of residents— fully 250—were present to witness the laying of tho stone. Mr Andrew, tho mayor, laid in the receptable prepared for it a bottle containing a copy of the Otago Daily Times, Tuapeka- Times, and Mount tienger Mail, and also a copy of Mr Pyke's speech on Centralism. He then spoke of the importance of the bridge to the district, "and expressed the opinion that the district was under great obligation to Mr Tyke, who, through his ability and energy, had beon able to obtain a grant of £3000 towards the construction of the bridge : Mr Pyke, after laying tho stone, said that if ho wore able to impart to tho ladies and gentlemen present the cheerful sensation which it afforded him to be permitted to take part in the ceremony, he thought it would add even to their gratification. Ho considered that the material welfare of tho country should bo promoted, but would not now discuss whether it should be done by a general Parliament or by local Parliaments. Tbe firsfstep in the civilisation of any country was the creation of moans for the inter-communication of tha people. Very little was known »f tho Romans except by mythical histoiy, one half of which was' fable, and tho other half' doubtful; but the Romaic had left behind them in Britain traces of their greatness :in tho shape of roads, military works, aqueducts, and viaducts. Some of his friends had charged him with having bridges on tho brain. Perhaps ho had, but if he had, he considered it a very good complaint. This made the seventh bridge he had assisted to build on the Molyneux and its tributaries. Somo years ago he had beeu so struck with a return asked for by Mr Stafford of the number of persons drowned in rivers in the Colony during the preceding 12 months that he had since asked for the return to be repeated every year. It would probably surprise many to learn that over 4000 persons had been drowned in New Zealand rivers, but such was the fact. When he first saw tho Clutha 20 years ago he gazed upon it, not with admiration or wonder,, but with doubt. It conveyed to him the idea of a cruel, cold, treacherous, snakelika thing, and experience had not altered that impression. When he was honoured by the adjoining county with the position of Chairman, he made up his mind that the first thing he would pay_ attention to should be the bridging of rivers. He found, however, that the members were very much frightened at the cost, and therefore he bad to work in a roundabout manner, . having first to induce them to free tbe punts; after which they found the expense of punts so great that they were very glad to build bridges.—(Applause.) There was, be could assure them, no more wasteful expenditure than that incurred in tho maintenance of punts. The vote for this bridge was not sufficient, ■ and though the County would help to some extent, the Government should, he thought, help more largely. The Government should have considered it a duty to replace all the bridges swept away by the flood of 1878, and he never could understand why the Balclulha and Taicri bridges should be re-erected entirely at the cost of the country if the construction of the Toviot bridge was to bo made partly a local charge. He did not, however, expect to obtain aufficiont money for the bridge. Tbe Government had, unfortunately, ovarrun the constable. They had no money in the exchequer, and he believed that if the same course was continued they would have to take advantage of their own Bankruptcy Act before 12 months were over, and ho hoped ho would be their official assignee.—(Laughter.) In tho closing days of the session ho had given notice of a resolution which he meant to fight for during tho recess. It was a plank—if there was any plank—in the Opposition platform, if there was any Opposition party; though both propositions were rather doubtful. His resolution was —'' That it is essential to the wellbeiug of New Zealand, and to the good government of the Colony, that there should be established one or more local governments in each Island to manage the internal affairs of each Island and do its business." They could not go to Wellington to get all their bridges built, or all their plans of roads examined, and all he could say was that if the people of the South submitted to bo governed from Wellington, they deserved to be governed from Honolulu; and perhaps they would be better governed under the king of the Cannibal Islands than under the oligarchy in Wellington. In concluding, Mr Pyke referred to the mineral and agricultural wealth of the district,- and said that he would not be satisfied until he saw the Tapanui railway brought on to Roxburgh, and the Lawrence line extended to Rae's Junction. Mr Oudaillo, county chairman, congratulated the district on the commencement of the work. Ho said it was evidence that the County Council desired to act justly to the district, and he promised his support towards its completion. . i ■ Messrs Bennet and Mervyn, members of the County Council, delivered short speeches, and Mr Mervyn thanked Mr Pyke publicly for his consistent support of the proposal to undertake the building of the bridge. The Mount Benger Brass Band was in attendance, and played a number of tunes, amongst which was the New Zealand Anthem, very creditably. ._ A dinner given in honour of the occasion in Heron's Hotel this evening, is attended by about 60 persons. The Mayor presides, and is supported by Mr V. Pyke and Mr Oudaille,