ST. BATHANS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 853, 23 August 1878, Page 2

ST. BATHANS.

(Fkom orn Correspoxprvt.)

Tho new bridge erected hy the Maniototo Council over the Maimherikia Biver on tho main branch r»ad to St Bathans was formally christened and opened for traffic on the ITh ■nstant. The bridge is intended for nothing more than horse traffic hut is strong and wide enough for light vehicles, hut there is so HtHn to come and go upon in the matter of width that the horse will have to ho led across. The Monnherikia is here very rapid, is often flooded in the.spring and early summer, and traffic of all kinds is sometimes stopped for days, while to travellers on font it is always inconvenient, and often danger, ons. The erection of this bridge, the fimfc of any magnitude constructed by Maniototo, will he a great boon to tho people in the St] Bathans and Id.abnrn ridings of the County] and to travellers in general. The bridge is about 200 feet long, and (1 feet 0 inches wide, is constructed of timber throughout, the chief strain being taken bv a strong iron rope passing over tho uprights forming the piers and under pulleys in tho sides of the braces or wh eh tho readway rests, "'out. sixty versons assembled to'witresa the open in", most of them pomipg b, bugg’es or op horseback, among them being a plentiful sprinkling of the fair sex. Hawkdun Station, winch is close by, supplied refreshments for such as ehoosc’to partake.

At 2 o’clock, the hour fixed for the enuring. the County Chairman. A. Holland, Ks(|., of Blaokstone Hill Station, took his stand on the western end of the bridge a'ong with Mrs Allen, of Hawkdnn Station, the lady who was to have the honor of christening, and said Thw all knew what it, was they were assembled here for. the christening and opening of the new Mamikon Ida Bridge. It was needlees for him to fell them of the necessity there had been for its erection. Looking <in the steep hills, the stony flat, and the terraces covered with yellow tussocks, it was a wonder to see so many present. It, was. however, true (hot. thanks to a liberal sr|uatocraoy, most of them were provided with horses. He said that this ceremony would be memorable on more than oro account ; it was the first work of fbn kind of anv magnitude undertaken under the now form of local government. He then detailed the lengthened

agitation for the erection of the bridge, the efforts of Mr De Lnutour, district member in the I'rovincial Council, how L 250 was once voted. by that body, but had lapsed, being insufficient, and bow at last by the exertions of the same gentleman as district member of the House of Representatives, a sum of LSOO hail last session been obtained from the General Government, which, sup* plemented by tho County with LISD, had been the cost of the bridge. Another LIOO would bo spent in approaches and in altering the mam road so as to bring tho heavy traffic to a better ford just below the bridge. Be said that in our thinly-peopled district, and with the funds at command our public works were necessarily of no great magnitude ; that it would have afforded him pleasure to have opened a bridge that would have cost LGOOO, but he hoped this would do till they could afford a better. He said that the opening of tho bridge would also be memorable as the last occasion on which Mr and Mrs Allen, of Hawkdun Station, who had been resident in their midst for so many years, and who had done so much to gain the love and affection of all with whom they came in contact, would appear among them. Mr and Mrs Allen were about to leave the Colony not to return again, and he was sure all present would be gratified to loam that their name would be kept fresh in the memory of the people of the district by being conferred on the bridge. Mr and Mrs Allen had consented to this, and Mrt Allen was to do the christening. Before concluding he had to perform the pleasing duty of congratulating and complimenting the contractor upon the expeditious and satisfactory manner in which he had completed the work ; and also tho County Engineer on the combined strength and elegance of the structure. Mrs Allen then broke the orthodox bottle of champagne against the end pier, and bestowed upon it the name “Allen Bridge,” declaring it open. Cheers were then called for, and loudly responded to, for M r and Mrs A lien.

Mr Allen came forward and said he returned thanks for Mrs Allen and himself. They felt gratified at the honor which had keen done them in bestowing their name on the bridge, and the manner in which such services as they had been able to render had been spoken of. He thanked them all for the good feeling evinced. Cheers were then given for the County Chairman, the Engineer, the Contractor, etc.

A great many persons on foot, a number of horsemen, and two buggies with their occupants—the horses being led—then proceeded across tho bridge. Your correspondent left them still commenting upon it, and partaking of the good things provided, the sound of revelry following him into the distance as he rode away.