OPENED AT LAST.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXVI, Issue 3366, 12 March 1915, Page 4

OPENED AT LAST.

BRIDGE AT THE PUKE.

CEREMONY ON WEDNESDAY

Officially opened ! After many trials and tribulations, after much trouble and worry, after nu nerous mishaps, the Paeroa- Netherton Bridge at the Puke has at last been officially opened, the ceremony taking place on Wednesday in the presence of a large number of pecp'e. Not only were the settlers of Netherton represented, but residents from all parts of the district came to take "part in the " christening" of the fine structure that spans the Waahou River, and which as a means of crossing is to take the place ot the old terry punt. And well might the people congregate to celebrate the occasion, for it is one of the most important in the history of the district. The bridge is not simply an improved means of communication between Paeroa and Netherton ; it certainly is that, bnt it also is a great deal more. Ir will assist in the process of opening up a large stretch of land between the Waihou and Piako Rivers, and'away beyond the Piako, at present lying idle and unproductive-, but which will in a few years be growing grass and carrying, cattle ; and, what is most important of all, supporting many hundreds of families Settlers who go away back and take up sections want and should" have fairly decent means of communication with their market towns. They want good roads and they want the streams bridged. The completion of the Paeroa-Netherton Bridge is a step—and a big one—, towards the obtaining of means of driving right through from Paeroa to the furthermost portion of the -Hauraki Plains over fairly,decent roads and without the trouble and inconvenience of ferry crossings. Soon the bridge over the Piako at Orchard will be completed, and the desired end will be obtained—so for as the river crossings are concerned. The roads, of course, are not yet all they should be, but improvement is being made gradually, and as the back-blocks settler is along-suffering individual, he , will be. pleased at any progress shown. Nether' ton people are inclined to look upon the bridge just opened as " their bridge," but ahhough there is no doubt it will be a fine thing lor Netherton, it will also serve the needs ot those residents many miles away. ;» It will enable Plains settlers to make Paeroa their market town ; they will J>e able to bring their stock to markets here—for it is imperative that saleyards be established in Paeroa—and will bring them in closer touch with the larger centres of population. The fine bridge officially opened on Wednesday is going to assist the township of Paeroa along the road to prosperity more thafi many people imagine. So far as this district and this town are concerned, there is only one road to prosperity —the opening up of Ihe land, the producing of more crops, more fruit, more beef, more butter-fat. By improving the means of communication the Paeroa-Netherton Bridge assists in this object. All the time, worry, and expense in connection with its erection have ' been > well spent; that it will amply repay for everything there can be np doubt.