OPENING OF THE WATAU BRIDGE. (From Our Southland Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 25

OPENING OF THE WATAU BRIDGE. (From Our Southland Correspondent.)

INVERCARGILL, April 10. The first bridge across the Waiau River woe formally opened on Wednesday by the Hon. J. G. Ward, and the occasion was marked by great festivities by tbe settlers of the Waiau and surrounding districts.

The Hon. J. G. Ward and Mrs Ward left luveroargill by the 9.35 a.m. train, arriving at Otautau just before noon, and drove straight on to the bridge, a dirtanoe of nearly 23 miles. Mr Story, the manager of Memvale, kindly provided a change of horses halfway. On arrival at the Eastern approach the party were met by Mr Bairdj 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, Misi L. Fenwick, Miss Storj , 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 I trtmour 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: — Mi 3VJ". Gilfedder, M.H.R., Mr and Mrs C. H. Howarth, Messrs D. Barron (Commissioner Crown Lands), Wm. Walker (ohairman Wallace County Council), A. R. Hare (Wallace CO.), Wm. Affleck (Otautau Town Board), Ranger Campbell, D. M'Phereon (engineer, W.C.C.). R. Story, and Dr Baird.

The Hon. Mr Ward, in opening the bridge, said that under ordinary circumstances ihe bridge should have been opened by the Miuistei for Lands ; but owing to that gentleman's impaired health and his approaching visit to the old country, he had found it impossible to bo present that day. It was owing to the speaker's close relationship with the Hon. J. M'Kenzie whil«t 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 fctanding on, he said that it was a fine structure and wa« a credit alike to the designer, builder, and district, and woujd stand as a monument to their membei 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 147 tons, and a live load of 137 tone. The span was 366 ft, the longest of any traffic suspention 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 6xtraß, -which would not amount to much, was £+887 10s. The rivei 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 distaneeß'of 150 miles, and some of these powers were as much as 5000 horse-power. In Canada similar powers were conveyed in the earns manner distances of 50 and 60 miles from the Niagara, Falls. 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 the factories in Southland. If the settlers found it necessary to have a bridge at the lower cite, 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 of railways to get theii 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 membei to enable him to get it. Driving up that day he 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 iv regard to the purchase of th'o estate he would have gone over it carefully. Ha most emphatically denied that he had had anything to do with the purchase of the place. In conclusion, he congratulated the settlers on the bridge, and hat 1 much pleasure, on behalf of the Hon. Minister for Lands, in declaring the Waiau bridge open for traffic. A plate was being prepared, inscribed as follows: — "This bridge was opened for traffic on April 5, 1899, by the Hon. J. G. Ward', on behalf of the Hon. J M'Kenzie, Minister for Lands, Mr M. Gilfedder, M.H.R., and Mr D. Barron, Commissioner of Crown Lands," and would be placed on the right hand pillar on the eastern side. He then called for cheers for the bridge, the engineer, and builders. Choors were also giver for the Hon. Mr and Mrs Ward.

Mr M. Gilfedder, M.H.R., said he had much pleasure in being present on that red letter day for the Waiau- He had to thank th Hon. Mr Word for performing the opening cera-

mony, 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 C. H. Howarth, the engineer and designer of the bridge, thanked the previous speakers for the kind remarks they had made regarding the bridge, and said he felt honoured by the confidence placed in him by the Hon. J M'Kenzie in entrusting him with the designing of the bridge. Unfortunately for the bridge he had been tied down to £5000, with instructions to proceed if he could build it for that amount. Another £500 would have enabled him to have made it 2ft wider, and to have ueed 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 *uch men a« Mr Roup;h as foreman, and Mr Marr as inspector. Messrs Walker (chairman of Wallace County Council), Baird (contractor), J. Marr (inspector), G. Rough (foreman), and J. John«ton, who made the ironwork, also addressed the gathering. About 150 of tho^e present then proceeded to the Clifden Halt, where a banquet was held, and a toaet list comprising "The Queen,"- "Parliament of New Zealand." "The Waiau Bridge," " The Visitors," "The Ladies," and "The Press," were honoured. The Hon. M?r Ward and party returned to Otautau that evening, and the settlers and friends finished up the proceedings with a ball in the hall in the evening.