UAWA BRIDGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1437, 25 April 1905, Page 3

UAWA BRIDGE.

.THE OPENING; CEREMONY;, . \ .('Special to Times.)| TiOLAOQ BAY, last/ might. Beautiful weather favored the proceedings in connection with, the ceremony; of opening the new bridge at Tolago. Bay. There were a ‘large number of settlers and visitors present, and the proceedings passed oil most successfully. Over two ‘hundred and fifty people assembled, the gathering being a very representative one, anfd including the Hon. J. Carroll and secretary, (Mr .Gordon;), Mr Townley (Mayor of Gisborne), Captain. Tucken (County Chairman), Councillors Handing* - White, Gray, Clayton, Whinray, Messrs Joyce arid tNpian, Waiapu Councillors, and other well-known representative gentlemen. The bridge was Christened “ The .Uawa Uta.’r The proceed!mgs were opened with a procession, headed by the H'auiti brass band, which first passed over the bridge anfd! 'then returned to the centre, where Mrs Holder cut the ribbon, apd the bridge was formally declared open by the'Hon, J.‘Carroll and Captain Tucker, who made eloquent speeches appropriate to: fthe occasion. The party'was subsequently, entertained at an excellent luncheon by the Bridge Committee, the following toasts being honored : “■His Majesty the-King,proposed by Mr Hold erf* ” The Ministry, and ParlSatncnt,-’ proposed by Mb W. F. Somerville, and responded to by the Native Minister, Hon. J. Carroll. ** Cook County Council,” proposed by Mr W. E. Reeves, and responded to by Captain Tucker. Poverty Bay Commercial In- , t crests.’'”- proposed by Mr W. A. TiUlocb, and responded to by Mr W. Common. ” The :VdsiUoirs,f’ plr© posed by Mr Spence, and responded to by Mr J. Townley., " The Contractors,” proposed by 1 Mr G. Williams ;• responded to by Messrs McLaughlin and Nieol. Other toasts were : “The Press,” ‘ ■“ The Ladies, V proposed by Mr C. j White, responded to by Mr Lissant 1 Clayton., ’ A telegram was received from 'the Hon, Hall-J ones, Minister for Public ? Works, expressing regret that ho 1 was unaTdo to ho present, and cx--3 tending hearty good-wishes on tho 3 occasion, 'AH the speakers referred very

hopefully, to tho district’s propeots,, anil oxprcgsio'd. pleasure at the increased facilities for communication! g von by, such works as thisi bridge., .The work ot the Go|un,tyi Engineer, r Mr DcG-,i Fraser, .who designed the - bridge, was very, -highly spoken of, the bridge reflecting great credit .upon him,. -and also, upon the contractors. This afternoon most of the visiiforg went on to Rook’® ‘Cove, and inspected that locality, fTor-night a hall is being held, and 5s .proving a great success. tin the call of .the Mayor- of Gisr iborno. « vote of thank's and hearty cheers were given for the Committee an;d cither® who had helped to make (the affair such a groat sucooss. The catering was -ably carried out by Mrs Exakiine. _A feature of the proceedings -‘consisted of h-akas by tho natives-. ■The Ibaupiri left for Gisborne shortly, -after 10 o’clock, anil -should arrive there at daylight. ,