TURANGANUI BRIDGE.

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 49, 15 September 1885, Page 2

TURANGANUI BRIDGE.

The formal opening of the above bridge took place yesterday before one of the largest concourse of people ever yet witnessed in Gisborne. Shortly before noon the school children, under the guidance of Messrs Morgan and Bull, inarched down in splendid style and deployed outside the Borough Office. The procession was then formed, the J Battery Band leading the van, followed by an open carriage containing the exMayoress (Madame Porter), Miss F. Porter, Miss Bust, and His Worship the Mayor (C. A. DeLaulour Esq). Next came a break containing the Borough Councillors and representatives of the press, followed by the school children, and a large train of people. Having marched across and turned back the procession halted in the centre of the bridge the Mayor uncovering said a very pleasing duty devolved upon him that day which was the opening of what he might call a new lung to the town. The bridge must be looked upon as one of the most successful works yet carrried out on the East Coast, On account of the great interest which Major Porter had taken in the question he had thought it a fitting thing to ask Miss F. Porter to assist in the present ceremony. He thought this all the more appropriate on account of the great good Major Porter had always done to this Borough. The present work would certainly tend to add greatly to the wealth and prosperity of Gisborne. (Hear, hear and applause). Having alighted, Miss Porter broke a bottle of champagne, and declared the bridge open. The procession then moved off, and on arriving at the Council Chambers broke up.

THE LUNCHEON. After the conclusion of the ceremony his Worship the Mayor invited a number of gentlemen to a light cold eolation which had been prepared by his own private order at the Albion Club Hotel. Amongst those present were his Worship the Mayor. Messrs Sievewright, Nolan, Lewis, Booth, Thompson, Piesse, Smith, Crawford, Ferris, Kenny, Reynolds, Bourke, Joyce, Graham, Stevenson, Barnard, Morgan, Trimmer, McDonald, Wilson. Matthewson, Gannon, Townley, and Houlden, The Mayor said it became necessary to say a few words upon such an occasion, and although it was not a formal proceeding yet a few toasts had to be proposed. He would first call upon Mr Lewis. Mr Lewis felt great pleasure in proposing the health of the contractor, and only wished it had been placed in more able hands. The contractor had always carried out any contract he had been entrusted with in a thoroughly efficient and trustworthy manner. They all knew this when Mr Houlden got the contract, but they felt renewed confidence wb.cn it was found that he (the contractor) had got the experienced assistance of Mr Somervell. The bridge had borne a good test that morning, and had proved that some credit was due to the engineer. But he would not go any further with that subject, and had great pleasure in proposing the health of the contractors, Messrs Houlden and Somervell.

Mr Houlden felt entirely out of place in rising to speak in public, but he must take the opportunity of expressing his thanks for the great assistance received from his partner, who had more experience in that sort of work. They had had many difficulties to contend against as all present knew, but they had endeavored to do their best and to carry out the work properly. One thing he was sorry to say vias that he was out of pocket by the delay, but he hoped that something would make that up by-and-bye. He sincerely thanked them all for drinking his health.

Mr A. Graham, in toasting the Engineer, coupled with Mr Barnard, said he often thought that if the Government would give a little more assistance in such matters they would save the country many thousands of pounds. Much sympathy was to be felt for the engineer in this matter, and often Councillors were all better engineers than the engineers themselves, but when

it came to the pinch he always noticed that they took care to lay all the blame on the engineer. Although there had been a little mishap or error of judgment in this matter, he certainly admired the moral fibre which the engineer had shown all through, and he had little doubt but what he (the engineer) would show that he was right lie had much pleasure in proposing the engineer’s health, coupled with Mr Bar-

Mr Barnard had little to do with the bridge, and if there was any credit in the bridge it was entirely due to Air Reynolds’ energy. He himself was always ready to assist in any matter that laid in his power. Mr Reynolds said the success of the bridge could only be determined by time and he believed it would be satisfactory. There had certainly been one error made but he had done his best to remedy that.'

Air Townley, in proposing the health of the members of the County Council said if it had not been for the County Council they would never have had a bridge to open Although there had been some mistakes there were many other bridges which had come off worse than that one, and whatever blanWiad been attached to the Engineer Jiey should now let it rest. The County had worked with the Borough and with the assistance of the present Government, and the valuable aid of Mr Allan McDonald they had done very well. He was pleased to see Aliss Porter open the bridge, as if it had not been for the energy and determination of Major Porter the thing would certainly have fallen through altogether. They should now hear nothing more of coast travellers standing shivering and waiting for the ferryman, and he hoped that before long they would be enabled to drive a trap from here to Tologa (Hear, hear). Captain Ferris in replying said the County Council had only done, its duty in voting the money for the bridge, which was another link between the County and the Borough. He hoped that before long they would have to turn out to celebrate the completion of the harbor.

Air Gannon could give some experiences of how he had in earlier times to dodge the river over somehow. They should speak well of the bridge which carried them safe over. Mr Trimmerdid not think that would be the coast road. They wanted other roads besides that one.

Air Gannon in proposing the Borough Council, coupled with the name of the Mayor, said he thought the local Governing bodies had always done their best for the public, and the only jealousy was occasioned by each trying to outvie the other in their endeavors to do good, and promote the public welfare. He thought that on the whole Gisborne might congratulate itself on being well represented. As for his Worship the • Mayor they had such experience of him in a much wider sphere as to render it unnecessary to say anything further beyond expressing a wish that they might long have the benefit of his wisdom and tact in conducting the affairs of the Borough. (Much applause.) In responding the Mayor regretted the unfortunate absence of many of those requisites which were essential to his position. There was one present who, to his mind, was an embodiment of all the requisites of a successful Alayor, and that was Air W. F. Crawford. (Applause and laughter.) Whenever he was in doubt he always tried to think what Mr Crawford would do, or say. The Borough Council was certainly a lively one, and full of vitality (laughter), and he was proud of it. Air Kenny proposed the press, which was responded to by Alessrs Leslie and Baldwin.

Air Smith, in proposing the Harbor Board, coupled with the name of the engineer, said there could be little doubt but what the money would be forthcoming. We had been most fortunate in securing the services of so good a man as Mr Thomson, and before long the harbor works would be in full swing. Mr A Graham, Air Thomson, and Alessrs Sievewright and Alatthewson having briefly responded, the latter believing that in the course of a few years we should be in possession of one of the best harbors in New Zealand,, proceedings terminated bj’ the thanking Mr Alorgan for his kindness in allowing the school children to attend, and passed a high tribute to the latter gentleman’s sterling merit.