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Media release – 23 October 2014

Centenary of Dublin Street Bridge celebrations

Wanganui District Council and the Combined Rotary Clubs of Wanganui are gearing up for a public celebration of the centenary of the Dublin Street Bridge.

The Dublin Street Bridge was first opened on 3 November 1914 “for traffic, trams, vehiculars, and the people of Wanganui” as was reported in the Wanganui Chronicle at the time.

The Council and Rotary have joined together to celebrate this unique occasion on Sunday, 2 November 2014. The bridge and some of the surrounding streets will be closed from 12 noon until 4.00pm.

Cr Rob Vinsen has been organising the Council side of the celebrations.

“Several months ago I spoke to Mayor Annette Main saying that I was concerned that the 100th birthday of this iconic steel bridge did not appear to be being recognised. Coincidently, Neville Procter of Rotary also contacted Mayor Annette at the same time about the same thing - so we got together.

“Neville and a team of Rotary volunteers have done a great job in organising fun activities to be held on the Cornmarket Reserve on the day.

“I have been organising a re-enactment of the original opening ceremony as it was reported in the Chronicle at the time.”

An official party, comprising District Councillors and others, will meet at the Tramshed in Taupo Quay at 1.30pm for a short address from “Cr Sigley – the Chair of the Tram Committee”. They will then board the tram and travel to the PS Waimarie for a short address from “Mr Alexander Hatrick”.

The official party will then travel to Dublin Street Bridge by vintage vehicles where, at 2.30pm, there will be further short addresses from “Mr Charles Mackay, the former Mayor, Mr Robert Sanders, the Bridge Contractor, and Mr W A Veitch MP”. “The Mayor of the Borough of Wanganui Mr Thomas Boswall Williams” will speak and officially open the bridge.

“This Sunday will be a great occasion and I think that our planned celebrations will be a fine tribute to one of our most unique heritage features,” Cr Vinsen said.

ENDS

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