The second Waiau bridge, North Canterbury
The second Waiau bridge, North Canterbury
[ca. 1890]
About 1864 the Nelson Provincial Government built a wooden horse-bridge at Waiau. Although well-built, the bridge was neglected and bolts were allowed to work loose, and eventually it was blown away in a gale. After this travellers had to use a ferry or ford the river on horseback. The Waiau is a very dangerous river in flood and claimed many lives. Nearly half of those buried in the little cemetery at Waiau lost their lives in the treacherous river. The Government's Engineer-in-Chief, John Blackett (1818-1893) designed the second Waiau bridge. The contractors, Scottish-trained engineers John and Andrew Anderson, had a nation-wide reputation as road and bridge builders. They were sons of John Anderson (1820-1897), Canterbury Pilgrim, blacksmith, engineer, founder of Anderson's Ltd., and Mayor of Christchurch. The bridge was constructed of wrought-iron with a decking of kauri laid on the iron girders and, as an engineering work combined 'stability with airiness of design'. The Press reporter wrote that the existence of the bridge would 'save a deplorable waste of human life and make 'the healing springs of the Hanmer Plains more accessible to the public'. On 6 Aug. 1887 the bridge was formally opened by James Dupre Lance (1828-1897), Cheviot Member of Parliament, 1884-1890. See The Press, 8 Aug. 1887, p. 2
File Reference CCL Photo Collection 22, Img02340
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