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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 68, 22 March 1870, Page 2

t ■= ; The Tiraaru paper of 12th March i learDs that the temporary bridge over the | Rakaia is nearly finished, only a chain or 1 two remaining to complete it. This ' bridge, as it i 3 well known, is supported entirely by clusters of common gas-pipss, well braced together and driven into tlio shingle. The purpose of this temporary bridge jvill be to serve as a scaffold for the erection of the permanent structure, but • when finished it will also serve as a viaduct over the river, being strongly enough ? constructed to carry a light truck to convey wool and other produce. The gaspipes eeera to answer the purpose for supportiug the light bridge, aud lately their i stability has been severely tried by a very heavy fresh in the river. The piles which were properly braced withstood well the : current, and" ouly a few of those which were unbraced yielded. The New Mail Route. — The Sydney Mail of the sth instant has'the following: — « ' The Chamber of Commerce has had under ' consideration the proposed new mail ser--1 vice by way of San Fraucisco ; and tha 1 United States Consul has informed the Chamber that after the dispatch of the two first mails he could' arrange the time-table 1 for thirteen departures, so as to alternate 1 every tweDty-eight days with the Suez line. This will be a very great improve- ' meat on the present arrangement, and will ' have the double advantave not only of 1 giving us a fortnightly mail, but of being 1 a little wholesome competition to the Suez route.