BRIDGE OVER THE BULLER AT THE OWEN.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 12019, 21 August 1907, Page 2

BRIDGE OVER THE BULLER AT THE OWEN.

(From a Correspondent.)

This bridge, wnich is within 8 few days of completion, will be a great boon to the settlers on the other side of the river, so far as the bridge affects the Win family, who havo about 900 acres of good- valley County; also the Hait Bros., about 1400 acres, a large portion of which, is a rich fiat. Alter the ddmpl&tiori of the bridge, it is said that thb D& partment will make a road of six or seven miles, and right through A, Wilkie and Co. 's estate, whicu it i 3 said will be acquired by the Government with other land to about 35,000 acres for settlement; Theti the new bridge will be of great convenience and considerably enhance the value of all property on that aide. Five or six years ago the Department erected a wire and ohairj which certainly improved matters) but was still a very slow process to Ret 300 or more sheep aorosa four at d trip. The bridge is erected upon two large and substantial piers of concrete 80ft apart, tbe piers being 16ft long, sft thick at the bottom, and 16ft high. The bridge deck is about 40ft from the river ted, and tbe piers are down "on solid rock foundations. The struoture is of t c upper truss principle, one 80ft span, one of 20ft at each end of the truss. It is a splnedid site for a bridge, as in a flood the river is a quarter of a mile wide few chains above and below tbe bridge. The bridge baa only 120 ft of decking, and you are on land high and dry at either end. Mr D. M. Wilson, Roads Engineer is tbe engineer and supervisor of the work 3. The work has been on hand since March, with the usual 1 reßscn, delay in the delivery of the timber (iron bark especially). The other timber is being procured in the district, and Downie Bros.) Murcbison, the contractors, had to convey the whole of the material across to the other side in the chair; sand, shingle, cement, all timber for the boxing, men,, and everything else- as was required, and at times it was very cold and bad weather. The last few days it has been remarkably fine. It was requisite to put across a wire rope bridge to build on. I have heard the Engineer is perfectly satisfied so far with the worki