THE MANGAMAIRE SUSPENSION BRIDGE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8183, 16 July 1906, Page 5

THE MANGAMAIRE SUSPENSION BRIDGE.

WORK NEARING COMPLETION. Mr Joseph Dawson's patent suspension bridges appear lo be exciting some alarm in the engineering departments of the Government. Sometime since the settlers opposite Mangamaire, ou the west of the Mangatainoka River, arranged with Mr Dawson for the construction of a bridge at an estimated cost of £3OO. The plans, however, had to be approved by the County and Government Engineers, and as the bridge was only intended for light trafflo, some exception was taken by them. Thereupon, the plans were altered, and a heavier and stronger bridge, at a cost ot £SOO was substituted and agreed upon. The bridge is now in process of construction. Ac the meeting of the Pahiatua County Counoil, on Satarday, 7th iost , a letter was received from the Chief Engineer of Roads, stating that he was authorised by the Minister of Public Works to intimate that if the Counoil will raise MOO towards erection of a strong trass bridge, he will favourably oon aider the granting of £2OO towards the work. The letter stated that the District Road Engineer's , esti mate for a truss bridge was £6OO, and that the suspension bridge, if erected, would not be as substantial as the road might require. The Ooanoil deoided to reply that it was too late to oonsider the Chief Engineer's generous suggestion, as the suspension bridge is half ereoted.