January, 1: The Kawarau Bridge is an erection just completed over the Kawarau River at a point a few miles from Arrowtown, on the main road thence to Cromwell.
Those who know the road will understand its situation from the fact that by its means the punt crossing at Morven Ferry will be abolished. The exact site of the bridge is a mile or two below the ferry named.
Mr John M'Cormick was the contractor for the work, and the contract included, besides the bridge, about three miles of road formation, with two bridges, one of these being over the Arrow. The total cost for bridges and road was 13,000, the Kawarau Bridge probably costing 7000.
It has a single span of 300 feet (said to be the longest in the Colony), carried on the wire suspension principle, and stands 150 feet in height above the water. Mr Higginson was the engineer for the whole works, which have been carried out under the personal engineering supervision of Mr Fulton.
The Lake Country Council is the body which has undertaken and carried through this important contract, but the General Government granted 10,000 out of the total cost, so that the county's share of the expense will stand at a little over 3000. It may be mentioned that an inspection of the proposed site and a general consideration of the whole question were made by Messrs Ballance and Stout, upon the occasion of their round trip through the interior a couple of years ago.
The spot where the bridge is erected on is a picturesque and striking one. The river runs at a great depth between perpendicular rocky walls, and from the bridge, at any rate in wet weather, a pretty waterfall is in view. The road-line, too, leading to the bridge from the Arrow, winds through some remarkably rough country, and the engineer who first conceived the possibility of making a road through such a locality can lay claim to genius of a daring order. Some of the solid rock side-cuttings look nearly 100 feet deep.
The opening of the new bridge, which has been in use for nearly a month for traffic, was fixed to take place on Thursday last, which day was made a universal holiday from one end of the county to the other. Great preparations were made, and happily the weather in the morning was decently fine, so that people were not deterred from the outing.
Some 500 persons assembled - Queenstown, Frankton, and Arrowtown being principally represented. Many were expected from the Cromwell direction also, but the races there, which were just over, had been sufficient excitement for one week.
The bridge was christened in the orthodox fashion by Mrs F. W. Daniel, wife of the county chairman, after which Mr Daniel gave an address, detailing the history of the work. After this an adjournment was made to the marquee which had been erected, and here a luncheon was discussed.