NIREAHA NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8207, 1 August 1905, Page 5

NIREAHA NOTES.

Opening of Redpath and Berry's

Bridge,

[Special to Daily Times.)

Saturday was a gala day at Nireaha, the event being the opening ceremony of Redpath and Berry's bridge. The weather was very rough, yet notwithstanding, a large number of settlers and others interested attended. Mr Hogg, M.H.R., after a few introductory remarks, called upon Mesdanes Redpath and Berry to open the bridge. The ladies gracefully cut the blue ribbon with silver scissors, Mrs Redpath saying, " I have very great pleasure in declaring the bridge now open." Cheers were given and pieces of the ribbon were freely distributed.

The gathering then adjourned to the residence of Mr A. Redpath, where they were entertained at a sumptuous repast, Mr Korshaw, Atea, presiding. He said that he regretted that some persons whom he had fully expected there were absent, but the weather was ample excuse. The following sent letters of apology: Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R., Messrs J. C. Tumor (Eketahuna), Trotman, Toogood, McLeod and Meredith (Masterton); also from Mr Innes (Pahiatua). Mr Kersliaw, continuing, said he had to congratulate the two settlers who had had their bridge opened. He also considered that the district was to be congratulated in having such settlers as Messrs Redpath and. Berry in their midst. These gentlemen have not only shown an example to this district but to the whole of New Zealand, and he hoped their actions will be followed by a large number of settlers being similarly placed. (Cheers).

Mr Hogg, on rising, was received with cheers. lie said the company might join in drinking a toast with musical honours which he had to propose his friend, Mr Dawson. He said he had known Mr Dawson for nearly twenty years and had likened him to a muzzled lion. He always had great sympathy for Mr Dawson, for, although he was both a designer and builder for all these years, he never could get this pet design taken up and never was able to cany out his own plan in a Government bridge. The first erected was for Mr J. McGraw over the Kopuaranga stream. A bridge was erected then for £96. Those who saw this Redpath's bridge to-day would be quite satisfied that no one wants more for light traflic. The Government engineers were all splendid men. They could design a bridge with anyone, they could tell the strength and weight of all material used to a nicety, but Mr Dawson could design a bridge faultlessly, build it faithfully, and build it at a low price. Settlers might manage with bad roads, but they could not cross our rivers when in Hood. Had Messrs Redpath and Berry had to depend on the Government engineers they could not have afforded to have a bridge. Mr Dawson's health was then drank with musical honours. "May he build many more such bridges," added Mr Hogg.

Mr Dawson feelingly replied. He said he had always got on well with Government engineers, and in any work he did he .never meant for a moment to interfere with their work. Far from it. Only when settlers came to him and asked help he had always done his utmost, and would do so again, Regarding bridges he said he was a firm believer in wire ropes, and had great faitli in suspension bridges. To these bridges he had added improvements as they occurred to him while building others. He did not believe in building bridges, like some engineers, from plans fifty or a hundred years old. Bridge-building had not made as much progress as one would have wished, and one of the main reasons was because designers were not builders, nor builders designers, as a rule. Years ago the Government Engineer said that his design of a suspension bridge would cost a third more than the old truss bridge (obsolete bridge he called it); but he would guarantee, and had proved it, that his bridge can be built at a third less money, and he would back it against any Government bridge for wear and tear. He thanked Mr Hogg and friends for the honour done to him.

Mr Hogg, M.H.R., said he wished the company to drink the health, with musical honours, of Mr Redpath and Mr Berry. He had known Mr Redpath ever since he took up land, and had a great regard for him. He regarded him as an enterprising young Scotchman. New Zealand, he thought, ought to be proud of such colonists. Mr Berry he had not known so well, but had heard him very highly spoken of in the district.

Mr A. Redpath, on rising, said on behalf of Mr Berry and himself he thanked Mr Hogg for his very flattering remarks, and also the company for the hearty way they had responded to the toast. A post had said, " A thing of beauty is a joy for ever." He did not know whether the poet was looking at one of Mr Dawson's bridges or not. However, the poet's remark was appropriate. The bridge was certainly a thing of beauty, and from the material and workmanship in the bridge he did not doubt it would be a joy for ever. Three years ago he had asked Mr Hogg's help, and that gentleman's reply had been, "I will do the best I can for you"—and Mr Hogg had faithfully kept his word. He did not care a rap for political opinions. He willingly affirmed that, but for Mr Hogg and Mr Dawson, they should never have had this bridge. It might surprise the company to know, he said, that the best the Government engineers could do in the way of bridges was a plan of a bridge to cost £150 for bridge alone, and, on no account, put niore than 25cwt on it. That day they had opened a bridge which the Government engineers had condemned, but still it only cost £300, and could carry any ordinary weight that could be put on it. The point he wished to bring out was this : Why is it the Government do not employ men such as Mr Dawson in the Public Works Department? If they were to try the experiment, lie was sure Ministers would be surprised at the financial surplus at the end of the year. He also begged to thank the County Council for its help. Though he was now a member of that body, when the help was given and the bridge was put through he was not then a member. He also thanked the engineer, Mr Nelson, for having looked after affairs in such an efficient manner. Mr Berry endorsed Mr Redpath's remarks.

Three cheers were given for Messrs Redpath and Berry.

Other toasts were:—" Parliament," " The County Chairman and Council," "The Press," and " The Ladies."

Responding to the toast of " Parliament," Mr Hogg said he had joined a reform band with the object of throwing a little energy into the Cabinet, which had lately become rather apathetic and listless. It had been stated that he intended leaving the Masterton electorate and standing for the city; but he asked the settlers to attach no credence to such rumours, as he never had the slightest idea of deserting the constituency that had honoured him so long with its confidence.