Built in 1914 (Hawera & Normanby Star 15 April 1914) by the Eltham County Council to give access to the remote settlements of Matemateonga and Omoana. The bridge now passes over the upper reaches of Lake Rotorangi which can be accessed at a boat ramp a few kilometres further on.
It as designed by Eltham County Engineer, Frederick Basham, who was given the go-ahead to proceed with construction at a meeting of the Eltham Borough Council in September 1913 (Hawera & Normanby Star 15 September 1913). It was announced at the meeting that the Advances Board had agreed to a £1,000 loan, along with a £900 subsidy which the council agreed was a satisfactory arrangement. In September the following year the council was told that the final cost was £1,950, well within estimates and that settlers now felt, "assured of communication at all times". (Hawera & Normanby Star 14 September 1914)
A modern sign exhorts motorists to not use the bridge if the deck is under water.
Please do not reproduce these images without permission from Puke Ariki.
Contact us for more information or you can order images online here.
