EARLY TARANAKI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13487, 30 July 1907, Page 3

EARLY TARANAKI.

THE OLD WAIWAKAIHO BRIDGE

Mr T. Clare, Waihi, writes thus concerning the old Waiwakaiho Bridge, now dismantled : —

As there seems to be a doubt respect ing the age of the old Waiwakaihc Bridge, I will make an attempt to give your readers the life and history of the old structure. It will be remembered by many of our early settlers that aboui the year 1855, owing to several live? being lost in crossing the ford during floods for tho want of a bridge agitatior was kept on to the Government con tinually until early in 1856, when applications were called for the design of a bridge to span the river. The bridge was to be of one span owing to tht great quantities of wood coming down during floods. The successful design was drawn by a sapper and miner named Jones, who received a bonus of £200. Two others competed.

It will be remembered that 120 feet was the length of the bridge first built. Tenders were called, that of the late Richard Rundlo, Brooking, and Clare being accepted for the sum of £2200, the bridge to be all puriri. The contract was signed in June, 1857, and the bridge was to be completed by the end of 1858, including three months' maintenance. It was finished up to time and opened early in February, 1859, so that just makes it now 50 years since' the timber was cut, and a great deal of the timber will last another 50 years.

About four years after the bridge was opened a heavy flood washed the structure away, leaving it on the island some 300 yards down the river. Mr Rundle secured the contract from the Provincial Council to replace it on cylinders. The engineer neglected putting on the shackle ties that were in the design of the lower chord, he considering they were not required. But I consider it took five years off the life of the bridge, but it would take a lot of mechanical explanation for many to understand.

It may be interesting to some to know the survivors of those who took part at the building at that time. They are as follows : — Messrs W. Rundle, S. Rundie, R. Street, E. Lye, J. Harvey, J. Lander, and T. Clare. The late Mr Blackett, C.E., was in charge of the work.

In his History of Taranaki the late B. Wells remarks that preparations were being made for a bridge in 1859, which must be an error, as the bridge was opened in that year. According to his dates there would not be a bridge during the war. It will be well remembered that the bridge was opened just twelve months before the outbreak of war, which was on the 3rd March, 1860, when the troops marched from New Plymouth for Waitara.

Another incident in connection with the old bridge was during the first war, when the rebels had full charge of what is now known as Fitzroy, burning buildings and looting. For one week they remairied there. The commanding ofiicer in New Plymouth signalled out to the Bell Block stockade for volunteers tto go down and see if it was true that the Waiwakaiho bridge was burned down. At the same time there were between 2000 and 3000 troops stationed in the town,^buj.jie could. not spare any to go and see if it* was true. The result was that a small party of three or four volunteered to ride down from the Bell Block stockade as far as the Mangaone Hill. They returned with the report that the bridge was safe. So /much for red tape.

To show what strides engineering has made since then in the colony, at that time the contractors had to send over to Sydney to procure the whole of the iron work, as Auckland or Wellington could not make what was required.

What I have written is entirely from memory. If anyone can give a more accurate account of the old structure I (shall read it with pleasure. Hoping I have not trespassed too much on your space.