THE KARAKA BRIDGES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 158, 24 March 1916, Page 1

THE KARAKA BRIDGES.

Opening Ceremony. By The Prime Minister. The important ceremony oi officially opening the Hingaia and Whangamaire bridges was performed by the Prime Minister, the Eight Hon. W. F. Massey, MP., on Tuesday last in the presence of a large and representative gathering of settlers of the Papakura, Karaki and surrounding districts. The weather was beautifully line and tiie function passed oft most successfully, a stirring recruiliug speech, delivered by Mr Massey, constituting an interesting feature pf the proceedings The Papakura Town Band wero in attendance, and discoursed a capital programme of music. THE BEIDGES. Details of the structural work of the bridges have already appeared in these columns. It may, however, be again mentioned that the advisability of such means of communication between Karaka and Papakura has been recognised for a considerable time past. The late Mr T. C. Williams had mentioned the matter as far back as 1908. He was then the owner of the Karaka Estate of 10,000 acres and it was i he who, in 1898, instructed Mr J. Flanagan to supervise the subdivision of the property which was completed iu 1907. The same year the Karaka Land Company purchased the wholo estate. The sections, ranging from 50 to 200 acres, have naturally materially benefitted the two districts connected up by the bridges by creating a greater community of interest. As a result of the bridges the route to "Westfield from the Karaka, over which thousands of cattle pass annually on their way to the saleyarde, has been lessened by six miles. The distance between the Hingaia biidgo and Papakura is two and a-half miles while the bridge at Whaugamaire is three miles further on. Both bridges are erected over estuaries, on a road which junctions with the Beach road to Papakura. A most interesting round trip can now be taken by motorists by following a route from Auckland to Waiuku, and returning by way of Pukekohe and the Great South Eoad. The Karaka Eoad Beard, with Mr J. Batty as chairman, is deservedly entitled to credit for rendering the bridges an accomplished fact. It way mainly thanks to the energies of tho Board that a loan of £3BOO and the sum of £IOOO, contributed by the Karaka Laud Company, wero obtained for the work. The Hingaia bridge was erected at a cost of £3OOO and the Whangamairo bridge' entailed an outlay of £2OOO.

THE CEKEMONY. Tuesday's ceremony took place at the Hingaia bridge. Mr Batty opened the proceedings. He expressed his pleasure at introducing the l'romitr to a large gatheiiug of his electors. Mr Massey, in his capacity as Premier, had not only legislated for the country, ho said, but also lor the towns and eitioa. Mr I>. Stewart (chairman Papakura Town Board) said that the dreams of many settlers had been realised in the construction of the bridges. Mr J. Flanagan (chairman Franklin County Council) paid a tribute to the foresight and enterprise of the early settlei'3 of the Karaka in settling tho district. It was well worthy of the coulidenco placed in it. The late Mr T. C. Williams had spent £-10,001) in it. Mr 14. McKenzie (chairman Manukau County Council) considered that the County should bo proud of Mr Batty, as he had boen of invaluable service to the country in effecting improvements. MB MAJSSEY'S speech. Mr Massey followed and was greeted with au outburst of cheering. After returning thanks for the complimentary references made to him, he explained that the reason why the Government did not spend any money on the bridges was because the Ostrich Farm, in which he had an interest, was close at hand and if tho Government had assi-ted the southern papers would have said that the taxpayers were paying for getting the ostrich featheisto the market. (Laughter; He congratulated tho Kaiaka Board on the construction of the bridges, \\ hich he regarded as a credit to all concerned. Kelerriug to tho growth of tho district during recent years, Mr Massey said that when he became associated with it fur the first time 'JO years ago there was only one settler in tho district. The change had been remarkable ; now all tho laud was occupied and tho energy and persovorauco of the people was being rewarded by profitable roturns. Proceeding, ho emphasised tho necessity of keeping up tlio ipualily and ([iiantity of the country's export. So far aa butter was concerned, ii was very satisfactory, but complaiuts had been made as to cheese, probably duo to huiricd manufacture. It had beeJine a national duty and necessity for people of tho country to iucroaso the number of store cattle. Their shortage presoutod a serious difficulty. In making an appeal for assistance towards prosecuting the war to a successful issue, Mr Massey iutimated that tho Franklin County Council had decided to do its best in that direction. Two town boards,

one borough council and one count; council had refused to help tin scheme, but in every other case assistance was assured, and he hopec that those bodies would also alte; their decision. The present scheme was the last effort of the voluntarj system. He pointed out that whereas tho British Empire two years ago counted its Army by tens of thousands it counted it to-day by millions. Ho noted with pride that 50,000 men. had been induced to don the khaki in New Zealand. He wanted them to understand that he was a lirm believer iu national service for New Zealand, but he wanted to give voluntaryism every opportunity. The voluntary system might fail, he said, aud in that case conscription would have to be resorted to. The young fellows who were waiting for compulsion would be compelled to enlist by force of public opinion. The local bodies would require to organise their districts, but there was no necessity for a personal canvass to be made. It was necessary that the rolls of eligibles should be completed and a great doal of work was necessary in that connection. The Empire had made good and the people had risen to the occasion, but the military service would have to come first. "And," continued Mr Massey, "New Zealand has done her part well. Our men have stormed the shot-swept hills and faced the fight-> ing Turk. Their gallantry would go down in history as one of the finest epics in British experience." Mr Massey -went on to say that New Zealand had undertaken to supply 31,000 men per year to keep up the reserves. It was a big undertaking, but not too big in the circumstances. The lives, property and money of the people would be worth nothing if the Germans triumphed. Every effort must be put forward to save them from the experiences of Belgium and Servia. If men wanted to obtain liberty for their families they would have to enlist at once, aud parents who advised their sons not to enlist may be proud of them to-day, but when future years branded them as cowards and slackers they would not it. There was one thing left for them to do, aud " That's to go." He pitied the men who were physically tit and would not go. In future years, when they would have to admit that they stood off when the ;all came, thoir positions would bo despicable. Cheers). Mr Massey then declared the bridges open, and Miss Batty severed i tape stretched across the bridge. The proceedings were brought to a .lose with afternoon tea served iu a narijuce by a committee of ladies.