THE LATEST IN BRIDGES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 365, 31 May 1911, Page 5

THE LATEST IN BRIDGES.

"Suspension bridges are no novelty, they are as old as the hills." Such was the remark of a Government engineer some time back when the merits of a Dawson bridge were brought under his notice. The engineer was quite right. There are suspension bridges in many parts of the world, and some of them are more than a century old. The same remark applies to the buildings that compose our towns and cities. They are, however, constantly undergoing renovation and improvement. Alterations of design, structure, and material are continually going on. The model of a Dawson bridge is now on view in the upstairs gallery of the Wellington Exhibition, and_ it should command the attention particularly of country visitors, engineers, and members of local bodies. The model, about seven feet in length, exhibits a bridge suspended on steel wire ropes hung over strong concrete piers. Only the stringers, joists and floor are of wood.

Below the model are photos of a bridge of thia design recently erected at a height of 270 feet over the Rangitikei river, together with a letter conveying the following resolution passed by the Rangitikei County Council at its last meeting: —'"That this council desires to place on record its high appreciation of the suspension bridge erected over the Rangitikei river at Taoroa, so ably designed by Mr Joseph Dawson, of Hukanui, and well constructed under the supervision of the county engineer, Mr S. A. R. Mair." The bridge was quite recently opened by Mr Smith, M.P., in the presence of a large gathering of settlers from Mangaweka and Taiape, including members of local bodies and their staffs. Mr Dawson, who was present, warranted the bridge to carry anything but a railway train, and the county engineer told the rate payers it had saved them over £IOOO. Since then Mr Dawson has undertaken the construction of two suspension bridges for the road board at Seddon, Marlborough. They will be built entirely of steel wire ropes, iron, and ferroconcrete, being probably the first suspension bridges yet constructed in New Zealand or any part of the world without wood. It is claimed that by the U3e of the best steel-wire rope, iron, and freroconcrete, and a careful and scientific adjustment of parts so as tCHCombine strength with economy, it is possible to produce bridges not only up to date but a long way in advance, as regards cost, durability, freedom from risk of injury or destruction by fire or flood, and weight-carrying capacity, of any bridges yet erected here or elsewhere. Already, chiefly in the Eketahuna County, about a dozen of Mr Dawson's bridges have been doing duty for years, and they appear to be as sound and good as the day they were opened.