ACROSS THE WAIOEKA

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 232, 20 December 1927, Page 3

ACROSS THE WAIOEKA

NEW BRIDGE OFFICIALLY OPENED MINISTER AT OPOTIKI (From Our Own Correspondent) Yesterday the ceremony of opening the new concrete bridge over the Waioeka River was performed by the Hon. K. S. Williams. There was a very large assemblage of people from all over the district. On the platform besides Mr. Williams were the Hon. L. B. Gow, Mr. C. E. Macmillan, M.P., Mr. J. J. Moody, (Opotiki county chairman), Mr. G. S. Moody (Mayor of Opotiki), Mr. C. Fleming (Deputy-Mayor), Mr. J. Reid (late chairman of the county), and Mr. W. Reid (chairman of the Whakatane County Council). All the speakers referred to the great assistance given by Mr. Williams and the Prime Minister in obtaining the necessary finance. Mr. Reid voiced the great regret felt that the late Mr. C. S. Abbot had not been spared to be present, he having been the builder of the old bridge ever 50 years ago. The Hon. K. S. Williams also spoke of the great help given by Mr. Coates *n overcoming the obstacles raised by the Main Highways Board. He expressed his great pleasure at being Present as their member as well as Minister of Public Works. He spoke highly of the good work done by the contractor, Mr. E. S. Brooks, who had carried out his job faithfully and well and was also several months ahead of contract time. He then called on Mrs. C. S. Abbot to cut the ribbon across tbe bridge. The. Minister then proceeded to the borough council chambers, where he Jbceived a number of deputations.