THE OPENING OF THE WAIPA BRIDGE AT NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 356, 20 October 1898, Page 2

THE OPENING OF THE WAIPA BRIDGE AT NGARUAWAHIA.

The formal opening of the bridge over the Waipa at Ngaruawahia yesterday, was made the occasion of much rejoicing by the inhabitants of this, the oldest and most historical township in Waikato Fully 500 people were present, Huntly, Taupiri, Waingaro, and the Waipa being well represented, the Maoris,"too, adding their quota to the gathering. Amongst those present outside the members of the Niraruawahia Town Board, who have taken an active part in pressing forward this work, were Cr. B. Hewett (Raglan County Conned), and ex-councillors Tining, McDon.Jd and Wilson. All who have taken pirt in carrying to a successful issue this much-needed and desirable work are to be congratulated upon the fine structure now completed and available for traffic. To give some idea of the bridge, the following are its dimensions : It is 481 feet long, 34 feet wide, and sufficiently high to permit of the passage of the steamer traffic at all limes. The contract price was about £2OOO, and over 10 tons of ironwork and 115,000 feet of timber have been used in its construction.

But to return to the function, punctually at 3 o'clock the procession, headed by the Ngaruawahia Brass Baud, left Mr Simmelhag's Hotel. On arriving at the bridge a halt was made, and the Chairman of the Town Board, MrDickeson, severed the silken cord wdiich had been stretched across the roadway and declared the bridge duly opened for traffic. The procession then re-formed and passed over the bridge, and on re-assembliug on the township side of the river Mr Dickeson read the following letter from the Chairman of the Waipa County Council :•--" Replying to your kind invitation to be present at the ceremony of openiug the bridge over the Waipa on the 19th inst., it is with great regret I have to say that a prior engagement, which it is impossible to defer, will prevent my being there. Will you permit me to offer, en behalf of the Council, our congratulations on the successful completion of the work, in' the face of many difficulties, this being another instance of ' All's well that ends well.'" '

Mr G. F. Dickeson, to whom much of the credit is due, for bringing this work to a successful issue, then made the following ueat and appropriate speech. " Ladies and Gentlemen : We have now opened for general traffic the bridge over the Waipa River, and it gives me much pleasure to see this work completed, as I feel sure it will be the means of advancing Ngaruawahia and its surroundings, besides opening up an extensive agricultural district between here and the West Coast; the bridge will also be a great convenience to those visiting the Waingaro Hot Springs. I may say the Ngaruawahia Town Board has not left a stone unturned in pushing forward this work. (Applause.) At one time it appeared almost hopeless, but by dint of perseverance it has, as you see, been accomplished. No r],oubt we have had many unlooked-for delays and disappointments, too numerous to mention, but, considering the first pile was driven on the 12th February last, the time occupied in the erection of the bridge has barely exceeded eight months, which is most creditable to those engaged in carrying out the work. I feel that we cannot show greater appreciation of the work than by giving three cheers for the Ngaruawahia Bridge. This was very heartily responded to, aud was immediately followed by a similar compliment to the speaker. Mr Edmund Fitzpatrick, a member of the Town Board, said he could not allow the present opportunity to pass without expressing their appreciation of the services rendered by the Land and Survey Department, more particularly in regard to the plans and specifications that had been prepared by their Engineer, Mr Wright, which he had learnt from practical men were most full and explicit in every detail. It was a matter for regret that owing to uuforseen circumstances they were debarred from offering their congratulations to the original contractor. As to the final completion of the job, every credit was due to Mr Austin, foreman of the work, who was evidently a thoroughly practical and experienced bridge-builder. Mr E. J. Moffitt, a member of the Town Board, said he endorsed all that the previous speaker had said in regard to the Land and Survey Department ; but he also thought the assistance afforded them by Messrs Laug and Cadmau, M.H.R.s., in getting the Government grants in aid, should not be overlooked, and he would ask the company to give three hearty cheers for these gentlemen. Mr J. K. McDonald was then called upon to say a word for Waingaro, and in response he said there was not a settler in the Waingaro district who more fully appreciated the opening of the bridge than he did. Two years ago the Waingaro settlers took the initiative in urging upon the local bodies interested the importance of the work, the completion of which they had met that day to celebrate. He desired to put on record the services rendered by Mr Wright, engineer in the Land and Survey Department, for the plans and specifications provided, and for the satisfactory and successful carrying out of the work. Mr McDonald concluded by calling for three cheers for the Land and Survey Department, coupled with the names of Mr Mueller, the Crown Lands Commissioner, and Mr Wright, the engineer.

This concluded the formal part of the proceedings, and on the invitation of the chairman an adjournment to the refreshment booth was cheerfully acceded to.