Clifden District - Suspension Bridge Centennial Celebration
Shared by Central & Western Murihiku Southland Archive
Originally a river ferry had operated from this site, which came to be known as the Waiau Ferry. More can be read about the early river crossings in these community archives, under entry CWA.001.010.002 This brochure advertises the Clifden Bridge Centennial Celebration, with the text contained within it reading as follows: FRONT COVER: "Clifden Bridge Centennial Committee, Centennial Celebration. Commemoration Ceremonies. Date: 04/04/99, Time: 2pm, Easter Sunday at the Old Suspension Bridge, See you there to remember old times!" INSIDE: "Work started on the suspension bridge with design work by CH Howorth in 1896. Tenders were called by the Chief Surveyor of the Lands and Survey Dept Invercargill. The contract for erection was let to William Baird in 1898 for 4887 pounds ($9774). Most of the work had to be done by hand as was common in those days. All concrete for the pillars was mixed on a board and carried up to the boxing by using a bucket and windlass. (picture of the bridge in an oval with a black border, saying: The Clifden Suspension Bridge from a position on the downstream West Bank Side - from an original drawing.) The pillars were given a plaster coat marked out to give the appearance of stonework. The 28 bridge cables had to be swung across the swift flowing Waiau. This was done by taking a light hemp rope across by rowboat and using a winch to haul the first cable across. This nearly met with disaster as the force of the current threatened to carry away both cable and winch!. The winch was secured in time however and the two sides were joined. The first cable was then used to assist the drawing of the other cables into position. The whole structure was rated with a carrying capacity of 147 tons - or live weight of 137 tons. On opening day April 5, 1899 it was given its first test as Prime Minister JG Ward drove his horse and buggy to the centre of the bridge and was joined by a crowd of excited wellwishers. They filled the bridge from end to end! LET'S CELEBRATE! Buy a Postcard of the bridge from selected retail outlets or Committee members for $5.00 and gain admission to the festivities. There is a lucky number for someone! OTHER ATTRACTIONS: - Pipe Band - Afternoon Tea served by Hauroko Valley School PTA - Parking available at Clifden Hall - admire the renovations - Lolly Scramble - Hovercraft on River - Painting Competition - kids! paint a picture of the old bridge - win a prize - Visit old Clifden cemetery - short stroll from Hall area - Find the Mailboys (Very unclear picture of an old map of the planned township, saying: Original Town plans were optimistic) (In a oblong shaped shadow box, is the following announcement): 2 pm Easter Sunday, 4th April 1999, Almost to a day - 100 years since it first opened. Contact person: JH Knowler, Chairperson. Clifden Bridge Centennial Committee, Secretary KR Gardiner, Clifden, RD 1, Tuatapere." FOLD OVER FLAP: "Re-enactment of the Opening Ceremony. 100 years of settlement at Clifden really began in earnest with the building of a suspension bridge over the Waiau River. Official records reveal that the contract was let to Mr Wm Baird for the sum of 4887 pounds. He began work in 1898. The bridge was opened for traffic on April 5, 1899. Officiating were Prime Minister JG Ward and Wallace County Chairman James King. The concrete pillars were hand mixed and poured using buckets and a windlass. There are 14 cables attached to each pillar with a total weight of 40 tonnes. Guest Speaker, The Chairperson of Southland District Council - Mrs Frana Cardno. Guest Speaker, NZ Historic Places Trust Representative. Now Designated a National Treasure." Back Page: "PAY admission fee of Five dollars at selected retail outlets and receive this colour postcard of the bridge absolutely FREE. Better still keep a record of the lucky number enclosed and WIN A PRIZE on the DAY. (Photo of a postcard of the Clidfen Bridge) *We do not have a copy of this post card at this stage, can anyone help us with one of these?* Clifden Bridge Centennial Committee, Secretary KR Gardner, Clifden RD1, Tuatapere." END NOTE: The old suspension bridge was donated to Historic Places Trust, now Pouhere Taonga Heritage New Zealand. Current photos of the historic site are also in this archive, see entry CWA.001.010.101 If you or anyone you know has any more photos, information or accounts of Clifden, the bridge or anything else in the area during the years, on any aspects of business, farming or community life, make a comment in the space provided under the image page. Please let us know if you have more records to add to these. Kia ora, thank you.
Ngā whakamārama
Details
-
Title
Clifden District - Suspension Bridge Centennial Celebration
-
Maker
Clifden Bridge Centennial Committee
-
Date made
1999
-
Subject
Bridge, Clifden, Ferry, Ferrymen, Heritage Site, Tūātapere, Punt, River Crossing, Puntmen, Settlers, Agriculture, Murihiku, Waiau, Pioneers, Southland, Centennial Events, Celebrations, Clifden Bridge, Clifden Suspension Bridge, Historic Places, Historic Places Trust, Pouhere Taonga Heritage NZ, Waiau River, Ferry Crossing, Waiau Crossing, Waiau Punt, Clifden Bridge Centennial, Waiau District
-
Additional information
Photocopy of original brochure held at Archives Digital copy of original record also in files
-
Rights
Attribution (cc)
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ -
View source record for this item
Kei hea tēnei taonga?
Where is this item held?
-
Additional information including high resolution images may be available.
-
Location
Main Rd, Tūātapere, next to the old Railway Station. We also belong to the internationally recognised 'Safe Space Alliance'.
Whare taonga | Organisation
Central & Western Murihiku Southland Archive
Ngā here ki runga i ngā whakaahua o tēnei taonga?
What can you do with images of this item?
-
You must check with Central & Western Murihiku Southland Archive to confirm terms of use and any attribution requirements, but this is our understanding:
-
Use for private study, research, criticism, review, or education
NZ Copyright law allows for the use of copyrighted works in specific circumstances. Consider what you can do under copyright law.
-
Share
You can share this image without further permission.
-
Modify or remix
You can modify, remix or add to this image without further permission.
-
Commercial use
You can use this image to make money.
-
Text adapted with permission from Te Papa and Digital NZ
Tāpirihia he kōrero anō
Improve this record
-
Can you help us? Share names, details and stories to help enrich the collection.