OPENING OF THE AWAPURUA BRIDGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 2038, 10 July 1885, Page 2

OPENING OF THE AWAPURUA BRIDGE.

FROM OUR OWN' CORRESPONDENT, VVoodvilliE, July 9. Tho Awapurua bridge was opened for public traffic to-day with great ceremony. The Napier Garrison Band came from Napier to assist. The procession formed at the school-house at 10 a.m., and about 40 Volunteers in uniform, Oddfellows, Foresters, and Rechabites, joined the procession, in which there were also about 30 vehicles of all descriptions, all well filled by settlers from all parts of the district, Fully 500 people were on the bridge at the opening, which was accomplished by Mrs G. Beetham, who broke a bottle of champagne, and in a few appropriate words named the bridge. Mr G. Beetham then spoke of the ureat' public convenience such a bridge was - to' tlie districts which it connected, viz., the Wairarapa and Waipawa counties..- He had no hesitation in saying that it was one of the finest structures" in the North Island, and that it would be the means of opening the finest country the Governmenthad, He referred to the 42,000 acres in the Mangatainoke block, recently secured from the natives. Ho then declared the bridge open, and the band played "God save the Queon." Cheors weregiven for Ministors of Public Works, (Messrs Johnston Mitclielson and Richardson) who wore in ollico during tho period the bridge was in course of construction, thecontractors,overseers,andMrßeetham. Mr W. 0. Smith, 'member for Waipawa, then addressed the Assembly, and congratulated the District on the completion of this fine structure, remarking that it was both a traffic and railway bridge, and a notable fact that it was now opened as a free bridge, and he hoped they wouldnever allow a tollon it (cheers.) He referred in a feeling manner to the losses of the contractors, particularly to the drowning of Mra McKenzie and Mrs Seavey. Mr Dillon as County Chairman forWaipawa, congratulated them upon the wonderful progress of the District, and the great help to progress such a bridge must prove.

Mr J. L. Carr made a happy speech, giving credit to Mr Blackett for the design of the structure, and credit to Mr Fulcher as supervising engineer.

Mr Sowry called for three cheors for the Napier Garrison Band, The procession then returned to Woodville.

There was a luncheon in the afternoon in the school room which proved a decided success. There were speeches by various visitors. A concert took place at 1 p.m. and a ball at 9,30 to wind up a red letter day for Woodville. (United Press Association,) Tlio bridge is 1194 feet in length, and of tho Howe truss pattern. It includes 14 spans of 80ft, 4 of 13ft, and 2 spans of lift, There are 10 timber piers on concrete, 5 on piles, and 6 pile piers. 620,000 feet of timber was used in the construction, and 1620 cubic yards of concrete. The total cost was £22,000.