DANIEL O’CONNELL BRIDGE, BLACKS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 943, 14 May 1880, Page 2

DANIEL O’CONNELL BRIDGE, BLACKS.

The interesting ceremony of throwing this bridge open for free traffic took place on Monday last. The day being everything that could be desired, the weather beautifully warm and mild as if made for the occasion, a large concourse of people from every corner of the district, and many in fact from a long way outside, were attracted to the spot. The Bridge was most tastefully and prettily decorated, a special feature being three triumphal arches, one at each end and one in the centre, constructed of the boughs of laurels, pines, and other evergreen trees, picked out here and there with wreaths and bouquets o£ chrysanthemums and other bright coloured (lowers, the whole surmounted by numerous and appropriate mottoes and no end of bunting. By when the whole company had assembled, the ladies with their many coloured dresses, the gentlemen in their more sombre garb, the number of vehicles with their impatient and fretful horses, and the other etceteras of an out of doors fete, the scene was particularly impressive and attractive, and one to be long remembered. For the convenience of the ladies a platform some thirty feet long by twenty feet wide, and supplied with seats, was erected on the western end of the Bridge, and from this also were the several addresses made. The creature comforts also were well attended to, there being no end of eatables and drinkables of every description, and which were fully discussed during the afternoon. In the evening a free ball was given in the school-house, at which nearly all who were present at the Bridge were in attendance, and by' the hearty manner in which they responded to the call of the master of the ceremonies, they must have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The day’s proceedings were opened by Vincent Fyke, Esq, Chaiiman of Vincent County, who said Ladies and gentlemen.— It occurs to mo that the progress of this district is very

aptly illustrated by what we see before ns and on either side of us. Yonder is the ford —on the other band is a something, termed by courtesy a bridge, and here where we stand there is indeed a bridge worthy of being so called. ‘‘ Look now upon those pictures, and on this,’ 1 and say whether the old Provincial system or the new County system has been most effective in supplying the want of the people. The fords are at best but uncivilized conveniences, and the old bridge is an useless sham, but 1 think yon will admit that the

bridge which we are about to open tor traffic is a creditable sign of advanced eiviliz itiou. A gentleman, for whom 1 have much respect, and whom I see hero present, when inspecting this structure lately, expressed regret that the money which was expended on roads and bridges had not been devoted to the construction of railways. To some extent 1 am disposed to agree with him ; but there is an old Scotch proverb, with which he no doubt is acquainted, which bids us “creep before we gang.” ft is a proverb equally applicable to children and to states. V\ e have been creeping—we are now -gauging, and by and bye we shall inn. We have roads—wo are getting bridges, and before long we shall have our Kail vay—all the Koval Commissioners to the contrary notwithstanding. For although those high and mighty gentlemen who never saw six miles of the railway route in their llight through this County, may condemn the line, I decline to believe tint Parliament will reverse the decision deliberately arrived at by both Chambers at the dictum of a few rejected candidates and interested persons. However let us return to our muttons which in this case is the bridge. Its value and importance can best be estimated by a reference to the fact that as shown by the agricultural statistics lately collected, the Hiding of Manulierikia contains nearly half of the agricultural settlementof the entire County. In my minds eye I see teams laden with sweet-scented hay and golden grain crossing tins bridge on their way to the mill and the Railway. I believe the district lias a bright prospect before it, and nothing retards its progress save the difficulty of inducing the Government of Now Zealand to open up the lauds in sufficient quantity to meet the wants of lire people. 1 admire the indomitable pluck of those pioneers of settlement who are' gradually wresting the land from the hands which have so long he'd and would fain continue to bold it—tire men who are causing the earth tosmilc with abundant harvests where the hideous tussock grass predominated, and making the wilderness to blossom as tho rose. We may well be proud of our settlers—located as they are, far away from tho great markets of the Colony, and without the means of communication which more favoured localities possess—yet still bravely fighting their battles with the stubborn soil and tho still more stubborn Government. Well have they shown their fitness to grapple with difficulties and to overcome them. What are the essential qualities of a successful colonist? —Energy, industry, thrift and sobriety—and when I look around, 1 see indisputable evidences of the existence of those qualities, and of much endurance amongst the struggling but sturdy farmers, who are laying the foundation of settlement in this remote part of tlie country. That they have achieved or will achieve success 1 cannot doubt, and none can grudge them a full measure thereof. Let them continue as they have begun and they will win for themselves and for their children a position such as in tho old world they never could have hoped for. Never was a stupid theory more completely demolished by facts than that which was once maintained that the lands of the interior were unfit for settlement ; wheat, liarley, oats, root-crops, green crops, fruit what will these lands not produce. Tickle the earth with a plough and it laughs with a harvest. Let us hear no more then of tho silly theory—that agriculture will not flourish in this part of the Colony. Ladies and gentlemen it has fallen to my I lot to give a name to this bridge. Black's is

the name of agentleman who has long ceased to have any connection with tho diatiict. Ophir is the name of a “ diggings ” renowned in the days of King Solomon, but which is unknown and undiscoverablo now. Neither seem to he applicable. It is, however, customary in this era to name public works of magnitude in honor of distinguished persons or events. Royalty is frequently thus honored—Names of famous battles ami of celebrated commanders are often 'bus used, Much as I respect our beloved (iueen and revere Hie memory of the Good Prince, her late-con c ert.

“ The Father of our Kings to be ” T think that the business has been rather overdone in this direction. And lam not inclined to associate the remembrance of sceues of strife and carnage with a work of professional science and skilful handicraft such as this. What then remains in the selection of & distinguished name for the bridge? I propose for it tho name of a great man, one who was “ every inch a man,” one who waged a long desperate but peaceful and eventually successful contest with the enemies of civil and religious liberty, and who brought to bear upon the great questions at issue the force of a magnificent intellect, aided by irresistible eloquence and unflagging zeal and energy. A man who, by moral force alone, freed bis countrymen from some portion of tho injustice under which they had suffered for centuries, and paved the way for yet better things in the future. No royal potentate or princely warrior was he. Only a simple commoner. Yet was he indeed a king among men ; and surely never yet did man o f woman born more justly and completely earn and win—not only the love of his own countrymen (in whose hearts he will for ever live) but also the respect and admiration of all—whatsoever their country, creed, or politics may bewho hold in regard the sacred right of their follow men to full and ample freedom of person and. conscience. I propose to name this bridge in honor of the great Liberator —Daniel O'Connell—and 1 now request Mrs Pitches, the wife of the respected representative of this Riding, to baptize the bridge in that name. Mrs Pitches then—accompanied by the Chairman and other members of tho Vincent County Council ; also, the Chairman of the Maniototo County Council proceeding to tho centre of the hrilge sai l : 1 feel much pleased and honored by my being called upon to perform the ceremony of christening sueh a valuable and important work. After duly breaking the orthodox bottle of champagne, she continued I now name and designate this bridge “ Th i ; 3’Coimell Bridge.” On returning to the platform Mr Pyke called for three cheers for tho Q leeu : this being responded to in such a manner as Britishers only know how to, and Her Majesty’s health drank in bumpers of champagne and other liqnois. Mr J. C. Jooes proposed the toast of the members of the Vincent County Council, coupled with the name of the local member, MrJ. Pitches. Mr Pitches in responding said, ho was pro’idoif being a member of the Council the bridge they were opening that day all must allow was a credit to all concerned ; all men have a hobby, his had been the construction of the O’Connell bridge, and he was now satisfied he had been able to s oit carried through -he would propose the health of the County Engineer, Mr M ! George. Mr L. SD M‘George in responding said— The day’s procseliugs was one particularly pleasing to him, and he was please lat the manner iu which the toast of his name was received ; it was the first bridge ho hail successfully completed yet in the County, but his duties had been much lightened by tho honest way the contractors had carried out the specifications; also, by the great assistance rendered him by the Inspector of Works, Mr D. M'Connochie,

Mr P. Harrington proposed “ The Con tractors.”

Mr E lgar sai l—The bridge being passed and taken off his hands shewed that he had done his duty—he thanked Mr M‘George for tlu kindness always shown him during the creation, and he might have been enabled to have said that he had saved a hundred pounds more out ot the job than what ho ha-I, had it not been for the Inspector, who he thought was tee sharp.

Mr Pyke now said he would ask those present to drink to the health of a gentleman now present. Since his acquaintance with that gentleman ho had forme I a very high opinion of him, and ha could but hope that the acquaintance would grow into esteem and then into friendship ; he would ask them to drink the health of Mr Ewing, Chairman of the Maniototo County Council, and to give three cheers. Mr E wing in reply admitted expressing the opinion that it was a pity the large sums spent on the roads and bridges in the interior had not been expended on Railways, as he viewed them as the greatest of civilizers and the best promoters of settlement, for the Railways we already had in the Country we were indebted to the old Country as there we had obtained the money. And thought we should bo more self-reliant and raise the money in the Country, but hoped if more foreign loans were raised the money would not be expended in political Railways. Mr C. F. Johnson had great pleasure in proposing the health of V . Pyko Esq , to whose credit he ascribed the succesfnl working of the County system, and to whom also was due the credit of the structure they wore that day opening for traffic ; he would ask for three cheers.

After three hearty cheers were riven, that fairly ma le the welkin ring as they echoed for hill to hill, Mr Pyke rose and said he not alone thanked the proposer of the toast for the very flattering and eulogistic terms he had used, hut also those present for the manner (hey had responded to the call, he said during his long Public career it has been his aim to win the love and respect of Lis fellow man and by the

w ly tho toast has been received, ha thought hr ha I somewhat succeeded. He had fought for the County system, and would do so for its oontiuuence, as to revert hack again to the old system, the interior would s ion be a barren wilderness as some perhaps would wish to see it.

James Rivers, Mayor of Alexandra said, M r Pyke in his opening address was very eulogistic of the agricultural interest, he thought there was another that hail a greater hold on the affections of the people and that was tho mining interest Mr Pyke had doubtless left the question to ho touched’Sn by others, he had great pleasure in proposing the mining interest coupling it with the name of Mr J. M'Oinnis a representative of the interest in the County Council.

Mr M'Ginnis in responding said if there was any interest that claimed foremost rank it was the mining, as had it not been for the miners the plains they now saw cultivated would he but bearing tussock, and further were it not for them the present bridge would neither he built nor did be tbink it would be wanted. A general move was now made towards the town to prepare for the ball, which was given in the School House, and at which a larger number was assembled than we over remembered seeing before congregated in Ophir. The whole affair both tho bridge opening an 1 the ball was an unqnalifiel success and redounded to the credit of the Committee in whose hands they were entrusted, and donbtnoss would be long remembered with feelings of pleasure by all who participated iu the days proceedings.

I'erhaps a slight description of tbe bridge may be interesting to those ot our readers who have not yet seen it. The structure is on the suspension principle, and consists of one span 210 feet in the clear, the points of suspension being 21S feet apart, and the platform over all 220 feet long. The piers upon which the whole weight of the carriage way and road rests are formed upon solid rock, and constructed of Ashlar masonry of a superior description, surmounted by a bold moulding and cap, tbo whole presenting a very handsome appearance. Most of the stone used was obtained in tho vicinity of th e works, and is well suited for tho class ot work. Tho carriage way which is 13 feet wide in the clear, is suspended by means of iron rods from galvanized iron wire ropes six inches in circumference. There are 2) of these ropes, which at each en 1 pass over oast iron saddles and rollers placed nu the tops ot the piers, and from then to the ground, from which point they pass through tunnels blasted out of tho solid rock ,aml are finally confined by means of iron rods and pins to wrought iron girders firmly bedded and bmlt in. The platform is protected on each side by high and stout handrails constructed in the form known ns a “ Pratt "truss. These serve a double purpose—they are a protection to passengers and vehicles, and they also socm to stiffen tbe bridge and prevent oscillation or change of form during the passage of heavy loads The greater part of this handrail is constructed ot iron rods, and tho timber in the whole structure is so arranged that any piece can be taken out with very little trouble, and renewed. Some idea of the st-ength of tho bridge may be gathered from the Soil owing facts. The breaking strain ot the whole of the ropes is about 1200 tons, or 00 tons for each rope. The possible load including the weight of bridge is 170 tons, which load will bring a

strain upon the ropes of 310 tons or rather less than four times the strain they are able to bear. Tire structure has a very handsome appearance, and will bear comparison with any bridge of the kind with which wo are acquainted in New Zoahind. The road approaches on both sides of the river have been constructed as far as the formation is concerned, hut will require gravelling before long, and when this is done the scheme will be complete.