OUR DISTRICT AND OUR SETTLERS.—No. 6, (Continued.)

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 45, 21 January 1884, Page 3

OUR DISTRICT AND OUR SETTLERS.—No. 6, (Continued.)

[bt ova stbciax. Bsroßixa.) OWS AND ENDS,—A FEW NOTES BY TSE WAY, aOXBTBXNO ABOUT TELEGRAPHS. gome time ago I saw the plan of the new bridge being constructed at this place, and jras surprised to find the old one still remain* lag, though stripped of its trappings, I soon ascertained the Vrhy and wherefore, Mr. McLeod, the contractor, and two men were engaged in doing little odd jobs, such as breaking up ground to form approaches, boring nut and bolt-holes, Ac. The contractor, in reply to my interrogations, told me the bridge, according to contract time, ought to have been completed a fortnight ago, but the work had been somewhat delayed in consequence of the non-arrival of the timber, eight pieces, for part of the lower and the lower and the whole of the upper •’ cords,” Timber suitable for such a purpose is not kept in stock at the mills, and has to be specially cut, sawn, and imported. After the arrival of the timber, Mr. McLeod says he would have the contract completed in a fortnight. Travellers passing that way should exercise caution in attempting to drive over the present bridge. PIPIWHAKAO ROAD. 'n condition of this road is really dangeMis, and although I learn it has been an expensive piece of road, still more money must be expended upon it. A sum of money has been voted under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act for metalling this part of the road, but until the question of getting Patutahi metal and the proposed tramway scheme is disposed of, doubtless the state of the County finances will not admit of the

necessary expenditure. 1 THEME FOB A NOVELIST. As I drove through the cutting at Te Arai, which reminded me very much of an old English lane, with the splendidly-grown elderberry-trees to the right, and passed over the new, and I imagine, temporary bridge, my eyes rested on the gap in the old bridge that formerly spanned the river. I hero fell in with a resident of that part of the district, and he enquired & it was my intention that day to go over and inspect Mr. Bloomfield’s mansion. I told him I was due that forenoon at Mr. Locke’s station, Makauri, and therefore could not afford the time to avail myself of what would have been a source of pleasurre, but hoped to at an early date. I will, however, he said, tell you an incident in connection with Mr. and Mrs. Bloomfield and the bridge not generally known. It is ‘ sufficiently sensational to found a good novel upon it. I told my friend I would listen. He said : That with the gap in the centre is the old Arai bridge that had to be passed over to obtain access to Mr. Bloomfield’s place. The centre of the bridge was swept away by the late flood, leaving a gap of about forty feet, more or less, between the ends. Beneath runs the Arai stream. An incident as soul-thrilling as any novelist, even Miss Braddon herself, could conceive, occurred there recently. Mr. Bloomfield was returning to his residence taking with him his newly-wedded bride, bringing

her from Auckland, This gentleman’s palatial residence is situated on the Unuikapua Block. The night was dark, and the driver of the two-horse vehicle had not travelled that road since the bridge had been broken down. Unconsious nf any danger before him the driver hurried on his horses, and the happy pair sat in the carriage innocent of that they were almost oii the brink of a dreadful abyss io have fell over would prove certain death to ail imperilled; The night being one of Cimmeridii darkness, the driver saw not the danger ahead, and on pressed his faithful steeds. A strange sensation creeps over the mind of the bridegroom thdt they are on a fatal track, and with a bound, just as the horses prance on to the broken bridge, he leaps from the carriage and seizes the animals by the reins; gbdd&ily brings them to a standstill, and backs the horses and carriage off the broken bridge. This presbiibe of mind on the part of the affrighted bridegroom averted the danger and saved the lives of a lady and gentleman whose families have long been associated with New Zealand and Poverty Bay history, politically and commercially. " Let us hope the house of Bloomfield will stand to sway a good influence axid de honor to the name of Poverty Bay, Tbfy next will have special reference to the splendid estate owned by S. Locke, Esq., at Makauri."