RAKAIA BRIDGE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 318, 19 June 1875, Page 4

RAKAIA BRIDGE.

The following letter from Mr W. White with reference to the Rakaia Bridge, in connection with the report of the Royal Commissiou, was laid on the table of the Council yesterday:— Christchurch, June 16th, 1875. Sir, —I have the honor to address you upon the subject of the Rakaia bridge in connection with the Royal Commission recently held with reference to the construction thereof. Having seen the report of the commissioners so far as it has appeared in the local newspapers, I am bound to consider it a very unfair one. As soon as I have been able to obtain a copy of the evidence, and to read it carefully through, I shall reply to the report; and as it is important that every information should be collected, I am anxious

that the Government should have the bridge inspected whilst the decking is being removed, because it is during this operation that it will be easily seen whether, in putting it together, I scamped the work or not, how much of the Bx 3 planking I have used, how much I have had to the good, and how much of the cross joists intended for No 2 plan have been used in the middle part of the present bridge: it will be further seen that the middle portion of the bridge is as strong and the flooring as solid as those of any bridge in the province. It is fully apparent that the asphalte broke up in the middle part of the bridge more than on the two outsides simply because there was the most traffic in theceiitre, and that that sort of asphalte is unsuited for cart traffic, and will not stand, it is the first time it has been tried for this purpose. It will be further remarked that the asphalte broke up as represented by Mr Warner's sketch, and which sketch does not show it as broken up over the butts of the planks complained of by the commission as not being nailed down, but over the second outside joists where every plank lying on the joists is securely spiked down : thus clearly showing that it was not the want of proper spiking which caused the asphalte to break up, but the more feasible reason that cf the wheels of heavy waggons running directly over this particular place to allow of one horse to travel on each side of the railway metals. I think and hope the Government will agree with me that there should be a thorough inspection of this work whilst it is being taken to pieces, so that when I answer the commissioners' report there shall be no mistake as to what materials and labor I put in the bridge and what I left out. It is just to me that this should receive attention at once, otherwise the various portions of the bridge will become separated and knocked about; the work of demolition is I find rapidly progressing, and in case of dispute between myself and the commissioners' report, I ought to have some reliable source to refer to. I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant (Signed) W. White. To the Provincial Secretary, Government Buildings Christchurch.