NEW MOKAU BRIDGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 December 1927, Page 5

NEW MOKAU BRIDGE.

OFFICIALLY OPENED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday. _ Forming the last link in .the main highway between Taranaki and Auckland, the bridge across the Mokau river was officially opened by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works on Saturday, in the presence of a very large gathering from both provinces. Those present included the members for Waitomo, Taranaki and Stratford. No satisfactory tender having been received for the work, the bridge was constructed by the Public Works Department at a cost of £35,000. Declaring the bridge open, Mr Coates lefened to the importance of the great advance in road communication, which eliminated the old ferry punt that had done service for many years. Good roads, he said, were an essential factor in promoting the closer relations and co-oper-ation between town and country so necesarv to progress. Both Ministers were entertained at a banquet in the Awakino Hall, following the ceremony at the bridge. The Prime Minister .announced during the discussion on the toast list, that the Intermediate Credits Regulations had been circulated amongst Ministers and would shortly be gazetted. It was hoped to set up the board and put the scheme into operation immediately. The party left by motor for Auckland.