The Wirokino Bridge.

Manawatu Herald, 12 October 1899, Page 2

The Wirokino Bridge.

DRIVING THE FIRST, PILE.

Yesterday afternoon the initial ceremony in connection with the construction of the Wirokino Bridge took place. Owing to the very short notice the contractor gave the Mayor the function was shorn of its proper dimensions. The contractor," Mr O'Connor, only sent the Mayor a letter late on Tuesday afternoon requesting Mrs Fraser to do him the honour of driving the first pile. The Mayor sent round to the townspeople warning them of the fact and the result was better than might have been expected, as- about 50 were present at three o'clock. The contractor , excused the shortness of the notice owing to the delays that had previously arisen and his desire to have the bridge completed up to contract time. Amongst those present were Mr Fulton, the engineer, Mr Chapman the inspector, Mr St. Hill the sub-inspector, past and present Councillors and a fair number of ladies.

Mr O'Donnell, the representative of Mr O'Connor, stepped forward and asked Mrs Fraser, the wife of the Mayor, to drive the first pile. The Mayor said that on behalf of Mrs Fraser he desired to express the honour she felt in being asked to drive the first pile which she had much pleasure in doing, and she wished the contractor all success in the building of it. The Mayor said he would make a few remarks on his own account. He regretted very much that owing to the shortness of the notice he had received, being only 24 hours, that he had not been able to invite the chairmen and councillors of the Manawatu and Horowhenua Counties, but there would be, no doubt, a much more imposing function on the completion of the bridge and a more representative gathering. He sympathised with Mr O'Connor in the difficulty he had experienced in obtaining iron-bark piles, owing to which he now was compelled to push on the work without any loss of time) For the information of those present he stated that the Wirokino Bridge was no new idea, and that successive Mayors and Councillors, ably seconded by the Press, had been workingfor the erection of the bridge for years past, and he felt proud that that day had seen the actual commencement of the work. The bridge when completed would consist of 4 spans each 104 feet in length, with a swing-span of 80 feet, and several smaller spans at the shore ends. The height from ordinary tide level to underneath the decking of the bridge would be iߣ feet in the clear, thus allowing ample room for nearly all river steamers* Of course if the , Waikato, with a disabled shaft, or the Waiwera, with the return Transvaal j contingent came along, it would be necessary to open the span. He j felt sure the bridge now in course of j erection would be a decided boon to

the settlers in the surrounding districts. He looked forward to the time when stock from Ekelahuna and other Wairarapa towns would be driven across the ranges and across the bridge to the port of Foxton. He was assured that good roads in conjunction with the bridge would bring us into direct touch with a large area of country the settlers of which would be only too glad to make use of our river and port. He would not keep them any longer, but would ask Mrs Fraser to drive the first pile, but before doing that he would like to mention that it had been Mrs Fraser's intention to have provided , afternoon tea, which, however, owing to the shortness of the notice, had been impossible, and that would have to come off at a little later period. However, he was leaving a trifle with Mr O'Donnell in order that the men on the works might drink Mrs Fr&serV.. health and success to the brida^ (applause.) V^ Mrs Fraser then let the cord attached to the monkey go, and declared the pile duly driven,

Three cheers were given for Mrs Fraser, and three cheers for the bridge. The pile was already driven except for the last blow, and •is one of three on the bank of the river on the Foxton side.