OPENING OF THE WAIAU BRIDGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11397, 14 April 1899, Page 3

OPENING OF THE WAIAU BRIDGE.

(From Our Southland Correspondent.)

INVERCARGILL, April 10.

The first bridge across the Waiau River was formally opened on Wednesday by the Hon. J. G. Ward, and the occasion was marked by great festivities by the settlers of the Waiau and surrounding districts.

The Hon. J. 6. Ward and Mrs Ward left Invercargill by,the 9.35 a.m. train, arriving at Otautau just before noon, and drove straight on to the bridge, a distance of nearly 23 miles. Mi- Story, the manager of Memvale, kindly provided a change of. horses halfway. On arrival at the Eastern approach the party were met "by Mr Baird, the builder, who handed Mr Ward a key with which he unlocked a chain that had been stretched across the bridge, and the first vehicle, a waggonette, containing the Hon. J. G. Ward, Mrs Ward, Mrs Story,.Mrs Saunders, Miss L. Fenwick, Miss Story, and Mr W. Saunders, drove over the bridge, followed by a crowd of nearly 300 pedestrians. There must have been a load of nearly 30 tons on the bridge, and scarcely

tremour could be detected on the long span of 366 ft between the two parapets. The waggonette was then driven back again to the centre of the bridge and a photograph of the crowd was taken.

Amongst those present were:—Mr M. Gilfedder, M.H.R., Mr and Mrs C. H. Howarth, Messrs D. Barron (Commissioner Crown Lands), Wm. Walker (chairman Wallace County Council), A. R, Hare (Wallace C.C.), Wm. Affleck (Otautau Town Board)', Ranger Campbell, D. MTherson (engineer, W.C.C.), R. Story, and Dr Baird. "

The Hon. Mr Ward, in opening the bridge, said that under ordinary circumstances the bridge should have been opened by the Minister for Lands; but owing to that gentleman's impaired health and his approaching visit to the old country, he had found'it impossible to be present that day. .It was owing to the speaker's close relationship with the Hon. J. M'Kenzie whilst in the Ministry that he and not their own member (Mr. Gilfedder) had been asked to perform the ceremony. Referring to the bridge they were then standing on, lie said that it was a fine structure and was a credit alike to the designer, builder, and district, and would stand as a monument to their member for his successful efforts to get the vote sanctioning the expenditure passed. The weight of the material used in the bridge was 2269 tons, and it was capable, of carrying a dead load of 14-7 tons, and a. live load of 137 tons. The span was 366 ft, the longest of any traffic suspension bridge in the colony. There was a factor of safety of 5 in the ironwork and 10 in the woodwork throughout the bridge. The cost, without extras, which would not amount to much, was £4887 10s. The river the bridge spanned was the second largest in New Zealand, and in the near future would be a source of power not only to the district but to the whole province. In America such powers were conveyed by means of electricity distances of 150 miles, and some of these powers were as much as 5000 horse-power. In Canada similar powers were conveyed in the same manner distances of 50 and 60 miles from the Niagara Fall?. He had no doubt that before many years some of our factories would be driven by the power at present running to waste at their feet, and he was quite sure that sufficient power could be taken from the Waiau to drive .all Hie factories in Southland. If the settlers found it necessary to have a bridge at the lower site, and he realised that very strong reasons could be advanced, he would be glad to help their member to obtain the grant. He realised, also, the absence of facilities the settlers had in the way ot railways to get their produce to 'the markets, and he hoped that the bridge they were opening for traffic that day would be a forerunner of more good things to come. He considered that they had a right to get a fair share of the public expenditure, and he would always be glad to co-operate with their member to enable him to get it. Driving up that day lie had seen the famous Otahu estate for the first time, though he had often heard of it. His knowledge of land was more an instinctive one than a practical one, and had he been consulted in regard to tile purchase of the estate he would have gone over it. carefully. H ■ most emphatically denied that he had had anything to do with the purchase of the place.

In conclusion, ho congratulated llio settlers on tho bridge, and had much pleasure, on behalf of tho Hon. Minister for Lands, m dodaring thcWaiau bridge open for traffic. A plain wns being prepared, inscribed as follows:—"Thin bridge was opened for traffic on April 5, 1899, by tho Hon. .1. G. Ward, on behalf of tho Hon. J. M'Koime, Minister for Lands, Mr M. Gilfedder, M.H.R., and Mr D. Barron, Commissioner of Crown Lands, and would be placed on tho right hand pillar on tho eastern side. Ho then called for choors for the bridge, tho engineer, and builders. Cheers wore also given for tho Hon. Mr and Mrs Ward. Mr M. Gilfedder. M.H.It., said ho !>ad much ploasure in being present on (hat red letter day for the Waiau. He had to thank the Hon. Mi Ward for performing the opening ceremony, and the public for their attendance and the reception they had accorded Mr Ward. He endorsed Mr Ward's remarks concerning the benefits that railways would confer on the district, and assured them they could rely on" his promise of help.. Mr 0. 11. Howarlh, the engineor and designer of tho bridge, thanked the previous speakers for the kind remarks they had made regarding tho bridge, and said he felt honoured by'the confidence placed in him by the Hon. J. M'Kenzioin entrusting him-with the designing of tho bridge. Unfortunately for the bridge ho had been tied down to £5000, with instructions to proceed if he could build it for that amount. Another £500 would havo enabled him to havo mado it 2ft wider, and to have used Australian timber exclusively in the woodwork. This would have added considerably'to the life of the bridge. .The settlers were to be congratulated that the services of such an efficient contractor as Mr Baird had been secured, and also in having such men as Mr Rough as foreman, and Mr Marr as inspector. Messrs Walker (chairman of Wallace County Council). Baird (contractor). J. Marr (inspector), G. Rough (foreman), and J. Johnston, who made the ironwork, also addressed the gathering. About 150 of those present then proceeded to the Clifden Hnll. where a banquet was. held and a toast list comprising "The Queen," -"Parliament of New Zealand," "The Waiau Bridge," "The Visitors," "The Ladies," and "The Press," were honoured. Tlie Hon. Mr Ward and parly returned to Olautau that evening, and the settlers and friends finished up the proceedings with a ball in the hall in the evening.