OPENING A BRIDGE FOR TRAFFIC.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 196, 4 October 1909, Page 5

OPENING A BRIDGE FOR TRAFFIC.

Saturday w.ii ;•. <; sy ■■:' r y\c\x\<z on tha occasion <>t f.n--nI;h; the bridge over the Monkur.mia stream, situated be- : tween Otorohar.ga ar.d Pirongia. There I were over 2M settlers of both races present from all parts, including Kawa ! and Te Rau-a-moa. The day was a bright and cheery r ne, which compensated for the drive through some portion of a very bad road, which did not get the sun or wind to dry it up. On the arrival of Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P. for the dsitrict. a move was made to the bridge, when Mr Hoffman, member for the Waitomo County, introduced the member in a few well chosen words, expressive of the gratitude they all felt at his coming so far to meet the settlers' wishes Mr Jennings said he was glad to be present at what might be to the town man an unimportant occasion, but the bridge, oonpretentious as it was, formed a link in the chain of a very important and rising district, and this particular bridge was one «f very great usefulness to the settlers, as the stream ovrr which it was erected, had the habit of being' at times very disagreeable, and not infrequently held op settlers and their stock for days at times. He trusted that those who crossed it in tne future would be imbued with good will and high motives. Mr Jennings then accompanied the oldest Maori female resident in the district to the ribbon at the approach to the bridge, which was tut by Mrs Kari. The bridge was then declared open for traffic and cheers were very heartily given for the member. Luncheon was held afterwards in a marquee over which Mr Walter Symes presided. The ladies had excelled thcrosekes in the manner they had attended to tlt«» cuisine. The toast of the "King" was received in the u«ual manner at a gathering of Britishers. The other toast was that of "Our Member." which was enthusiastically received. Mr Symes. Mr John Ormsby and Mr Kari. taking part in proposing the toast. Mr Ormsby said he greeted Mr Jennings, and thanked him for coming on the occasion, and as probably the oldest resident in the King Country be could not say how pleased he was at the cordiality of the whole proceedings. Mr Kari sang a waiata of welcome to the member who responded in suitable terms. The toast of Mr Teasdale ofTe Awamutu was also given and that gentleman replied in feeling terms, as an old Waikato resident. The member and Mr Ormsby and party then started for Otorohanga, which was reached in time to catch the evening train for Te Kuiti.