The Bridge At Matawhero

Bridge is integral part of huge scheme costing over a million to control Waipaoa flooding and realign highways to points west and south of Gisborne.

Handicapped by floods and other obstacles, contractors are now racing to get work above autumn flood level.

To right of bridge can be seen curved channel which will shorten river's course by several miles.

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Aerial view taken early in December gives a comprehensive picture of big new bridge being built across Waipaoa River six miles west of Gisborne.

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Close-up of bridge operations last month, from Patutahi side.

Bridge contractors have been hindered by two major floods during past winter, and more recently by the discovery of an underground forest far below river. In order to sink some caissons, a diver has had to be employed (next page).

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Looking from the Gisborne end of new bridge. Close to shore line on Patutahi side can be seen large concrete pile structure which rests on caissons sunk into river bottom. Five or six of these will carry great steel girders incorporated in deck of bridge.

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Giant carry-all churns up dust as it transports spoil from river cut to build up new highway close by.

Fred Appleby's job at Matawhero is to go down 40 or 50 feet inside big concrete caissons and dynamite ancient logs which are in the way as caissons are lowered. In this series of pictures he is shown preparing for action, standing ready to jump into water, dropping in, and disappearing. After surveying log, he drills hole in it, inserts explosive, plugs hole, comes up while charge is fired, then returns to clear up mess.

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