COMPLETION OF THE RAILWAY BRIDGE, NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 686, 7 November 1876, Page 3

COMPLETION OF THE RAILWAY BRIDGE, NGARUAWAHIA.

Tub Contractor, MrTayltr, r.avirg almost entrely completed ihe works iv couuecti in with the Newcastle Kailway Bridge, took advantage of the preience in the \\ mkato of the District Engineer, aod, on Saturday morning, tho otrtruouy of driving the first coach over the river was j erformed in the presence of a lar^e number of tpectators, by Mr W X Cat tor. About 7.30 a m., the coach arrived from ) »miltosj, and was soon taken poaseasion of by a number of visitors and others, Messrs Jaw«s Stewart, C.E., and Mr Taylor occupying the box seats, and a start was made from the lielta Ho, el, Carter conveying no leu than 31 passeng»rs over the Bridge, and nearly as many back again. An adjournment wm then made to the Delta Hotel, where about 40 ■at down to a champagne dejeuner, prrlared in Mr Harm' well-kuown style. WbtiD the rattle of knives and forks had somewhat subsided, tbe uaual loyal to*s' , •The Queen,' 'Koyal F mily,' 'The Governor,' &c, were druuk, and the health of the imgineer-in. Chief w»a o'so proposed, and duly honoured. Mr Tay'or then, in a very kindly speech, propus»'d the health of the District Engineer, Mr Stewart, from whom, since the commencement of hia work, he had always received the very greatest courteay and assistance, which had tended to make the work all through an agreeable one. Mr Stewart, in reply, said that he bad always found Mr Tayh r willing to carry out his work niott sut sfactorily, and ho had been most ably aui ted by good workmen ; all the <1 faculties attendant on work of this sort haviug been met ably, and got over thoroughly well and aatinfactQri'y to all concerned, he would aak them to drink health and happineaa to Mr Taylo.. Toatt duly honoured and suitably acknowledge' 1 . Mr Stewart then proposed the health of Mr David Glendenning, Foreman of Works for Mr Taylor, and bestowed tl c very highest praise on the energy, peraeiv^r* me, aad workmanlike manner in which the work bad b n carried out by him at all times, difficulties having been foraeen aud met with pnmpiitude and dtcinion, aud tVrefore oveicirar succCMifully. Th*» toast was received with repeated cheering, and Mr Gleud«nuing replied, aaylug, that !•« hud always tntd to do hut beet, and was pitted to have given satisfaction. He had lived now twtn ytfto months at Newcastle and won d he very sorry to leave as be had always recnved ti.e kindness from the people tier, aud vhfrever he might jouruey through life he wiiild uevei forget Ngaruavtahm anrt thkiudl} feeling of tba peop'c t< ward* bimaclf. (Cheers. l Tho following to r ts vttre tieu jut tLrough 'Mr W kC tci' our enterpruing coaob proprietor who hud jtui driven tbe tint coach across the l<ridge. Mr J Breen Resident KnKiijeer, v. ho replied in an abe tpeicb, tiuA c mplimanttd Mr Taylor and his lor. man Mr Gltnlenning very highly. 'Mr Carringtou a«fi«taat Engineer and m infers of (be staff,' replied to by Mr Car • ington, and Smith overseer of the bridge. "Ihe Chairman of tbe Town Boar I and prosperity to the District.' wnH answered for bj Mr G- Edi;cumb 4 The Pross' was drank. 'Our Host and H omens' had evidentlT tiiren iatiifnction, judgng from the cheerful m inner in which their health was quaffed. There was a regular rush of batohelors to reply to the toast of the 'Ladies' who are evidently thought much of in Ngaruawahia, and just to finish up, the yood people of Newcastle drank a flowing bumper to the health of their Hamilton Visitors, who returned home with a first rat* impression of Newcastle in general, aid opening bridges in particular with a champagne spread at 8 am. The ceremony gone through on Satur dajr has of course nothtiu to do with the peimanent opening of tbe bridge, being only a demonstration on the pait of the contractor, who, when the few finishing touches have been placed on the work will hand the whole thing over to the Grmral Government to be opened foi traffic when thej may think fit. With ngard to the general appearance of the bridge, it looks much better and less elephantine than was expected by those who saw it whilst being erected, and it will undoubtedly be a great boon to tbe district