ADVANCE WAIMAUKU.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 25 May 1916, Page 3

ADVANCE WAIMAUKU.

NEW CONCRETE BRIDGE

OPENING CEREMONY,

MR GORDON COATES, M.P.,

GIVES A SPEECH

THE afternoon of Saturday last, appointed by the Waitemata County Council for the opening ceremony in connection with the new and handsome ferro-concrete bridge crossing the Kaipara stream (about 200 yards from the Waimauku Railway Station), was none too good for visitors, who numbered some 150, and who came from various parts of the district, including Helensville and Kaukapakapa, and several of the Riding members of the Waitemata County.

Mr Vincent Kerr-Taylov, member for Kumeu Riding, opened the proceedings by thanking all present for responding to the invitations sent out, and referred to the cost of the bridge (£900), and its splendid structure, which was 82 feet long and 22 feet wide, the County Engineer (Mr G. A.

Jackson) being the designer, and Mr H. Beadle the contractor.

Mr A. M. Lang, County Chairman, having been called upon, stated that it gave him and his Council pleasure to know they were that day opening another substantial and handsome bridge in their progressive County, and it was a credit to one and all, including Mr Taylor, the Riding member, who had never rested till he made the bridge a reality, their engineer, and the contractor who had built various concrete bridges in the Waitemata County and elsewhere. The district had much to thank Mr Taylor for the energetic part he had taken to get the bridge. Mr Lang then went on to refer to the old times of wooden structures for bridges, and the many inconveniences old settlers had suffered.

Mr J. Gordon Coates, M.P., who was well received, apologised for the non-attendance of mem" bers of the Government, who were all busy in Wellington, carrying out a most important session. For himself he appreciated Mr Taylor's kind invitation more than he could express. In referring to the bridge and the work of local bodies in trying to please everyone, he had his own experience; there were always plenty of discontents who never thought of ways and means. The new bridge had been erected out of loan money, and it was a credit to them all; all the more so as' the settlers raised the money themselves and were responsible for it. All credit was also due Mr Kerr-Taylor for his energy in raising the money. The speaker next referred to the large increased valuation of the Waitemata County and the importance of its works and improvements ; and, also, the great patriotism being shown by the country people generally. Mrs Lang would be called upon to cut the ribbons spanning the bridge, and afterwards these would be cut up into smaller pieces and sold for the benefit of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, in which Mrs Duncan had done good work in this respect. The work was still going on in earnest, and few knew the terrors of it, but they must all hang together and work even to the last man and the last shilling. (Hear, hear).

And amidst cheers for the County Chairman, Councillors, and Engineer, the ribbons of red, white and blue were severed, and the bridge was declared formally opened by Mr Coates, the strings of gorgeous bunting of all nations

(barring our enemies), proudly floating in the breeze,

The tablet on the bridge was next uncovered by MrsL<ang,after which an adjournment was made, on the invitation of Mr and, Mrs Taylor, to an adjoining padlock, where they provided a most liberal supply of refreshments

and afternoon tea,

" Discussing " this pleasant part of the programme, there

were various loyal and patriotic toasts proposed and happily responded to. After ''The King," came " Qur National Gf-qyern.ment," by Mr Jas. McLeod (Mairetahi Riding member), who, thought that Party Government was not required, and he did not believe that after the war was over there was any likelihood of Party Government e^isting-^-there was no room for suoh.. Rational Government should b,e u,p.h,eid, and from, the sample they had of it, there was nothing to cqm : plain, qf. He did not think the people would encourage a change. TVfr «J. G. Ooates, M.P., in responding, , said be was not so sanguin,e as Mr McLeod regarding Party Government. Though many members qf Parliament had buried the hatchet, there were stilj. sqme bitter, opponents of the M;assey Government in the House. " Several niembier of Parliament had already gone to the fyont; others were following.

with himself amongst the number. He always wanted to be a soldier, and although he • had never been in action, he hoped soon to be fighting with the others, and that the red, white and blue would triumph, and come out on top of the "mark. (Hear, hear).

Other toasts were —"The Chairman," "County Engineer," "Contractor," "' Our Member of Parliament," and were all appro" priately responded to.

Mr F. Dye (representative Kau" kapakapa Riding), in a happy speech, proposed "The Ladies," bringing in the fact that many of them had willingly let their husbands and sons go to fight for the Empire. Mr Bollard of Auckland, and Mr A. E. Frust (Riverhead) also spoke.

" The Press," which was responded to by Mr F. Mackenzie (ECHO), and representatives of Auckland papers, ended the programme.