HOW A BRIDGE MAY BE ERECTED.

Otago Witness, Issue 420, 17 December 1859, Page 6

HOW A BRIDGE MAY BE ERECTED.

(Communicated.) ' Many years have passed since I first perused a small publication entitled the " Otago Journal." The vivid pictures therein delineated of a new Paradise, made a deep impression upon a mind somewhat susceptible of the beautiful ; and I can even now recall the pleasure with •which, in imagination, I roamed amid the undulating downs of this land of promise. There was one spot which rivetted my attention and enchained my affections; in it was a river •which made glad the heart of man, " a quarter-of-a-mile broad, and six fathoms deep for 50 "miles," winding " through extended plains of great beauty and extraordinary fertility," " the neighbouring hills displaying a series of most beautiful slopes, chiefly covered with grass ; " the bar at the river's mouth, noio alas ! deemed almost impracticable, might be passed "for days together with safety in a punt." Experience has softened the tints and sobered the judgment, but still there is sufficient truth left to justify the enquiry why the appropriations of revenue should not be' somewhat more equitably directed towards a country so rich in the materials of improvement. Nature still maintains her ascendancy ; and the inhabitants of these fertile plains and beautiful slopes have long viewed with pain and some little indignation, the liberality which characterizes the Government expenditure towards other districts, to the prejudice of the Clutha, excepting in those few cases where a general interest is subserved. It was time, however, to be tip and doing ; for, if they waited till roads were surveyed, or rivers bridged, they might have dreamed their life away. Emerging from the hills south of the Molyneux is a little peaceful flowing stream, which at home, if well stocked with trout, would have drawn many a disciple of Walton to roam along its banks. This murmuring brook, though generally barely a foot deep in many parts, is subject to sudden swellings, increasing the depth to six to eight feet, so as to cut off all communication between the opposite banks. A bridge was necessary, and it was decided that a bridge there should be ; the undertaking was somewhat extensive for so sparsely a populated district, but. despite the recollection that some would sooner reap the profit than share the labour, the neighbouring landholders, east of the Puerua, relying on each other, resolved to attempt it. From the uplands and glens of the Omrau came forth a band sagacious to design and skilful to execute; the wooded heights of Awekekie, and its adjacent highlands, provided their quota of iron muscles and willing hearts ; the contiguous plains also gave those whom public interests have never yet found wanting when energetic action was required ; while the dwellers on the eastern banks of the Puerua, assisted by one or two on the other bank, hastened, with thankfulness, to swell the gathering company. For eight successive working days did the work merrily proceed, until the river was spanned by a bridge which will bear comparison with any undertaking of a similar kind in the colony. The clear water way is 32£ feet, the whole length of the bridge from end to end being 66 feet, with a breadth of 14£ feet, and a Jieight above low water of nearly 10 feet. The black pines which stretch from bank to bank are 34 feet in length, and were brought from a considerable distance, as was also the remainder of the 1000 cubic feet of timber used in the construction. It is confidently believed that Government will share the expense. On the last day of November, as the sun neared the horizon, the work was completed : a military promenade was made across the bridge to test its stability, and the stern and resoiute attitude of the array, armed to the teeth with spade, axe, and pipe, would have struck dismay through the ranks of any hostile force. The last sod was turned by Miss F. Burns, who kindly officiated on the occasion ; and, dashing a bottle of genuine Puerua water with scientific precision against the king post, declared the " Union " bridge opened to all the world. Retiring to the Manse, it was not long ere the roast beef and plum pudding evinced decided symptoms of our prowess in other departments besides bridge-making. I have had some experience in voluntary cooperation in similar works, and have found, as hitherto, that the willing bore the brunt ; but never have I witnessed so much cordiality and good feeling for such a length of time as existed amongst us. May the shadow of each and all never grow less.