LONDON’S BRIDGES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19124, 19 March 1924, Page 4

LONDON’S BRIDGES.

WATERLOO DECLARED THE “NOBLEST.”

One may suppose there never was -a tima when London was not anxious about its bridges (the Morning Post observes). Centuries before the Conqueror had set foot ou English soil there was a rhyme which told us that London bridge was broken down,” and .since then one or other of tho roadways across the Thames lias given us causa for anxiety. That antiquated iron structure opposite Lambeth Palace, which superseded the terry from which the Archbishops of Canterbury drew abundant revenue, is to ho rebuilt when the London County Council have obtained Parliamentary authority in the forthcoming session. Tho condition of Waterloo bridge is now a source of (rouble A settlement has been reported in the pier on the Lambeth side of tho central arch, and having regard to this fact and to the continuous heavy traffic over tho bridge, advice is to be obtained as to its actual condition throughout. Our forefathers, who pul up Waterloo at the cost of a million, would have been surprised that anything could go wrong with it. Canova said it was “the noblest bridge in the world.” The engineer was John Ronnie, son of an East Lothian farmer, who had been a country schoolmaster and a master wheelwright before be took up engineering. It was originally intended to be the “Strand bridge.” but its name was changed to “Waterloo” in honour of (hat decisive battle, Ihe first stone was laid on October 11, 1811, and tho bridge was opened on June 18, 1817, the second anniversary of the battle, by (bo Prince Regent, who was at tended by tho Duke of Wellington and a brilliant sla.fi of officers who had fought at Waterloo.