Then And Now

Among the pictures of old Gisborne sent in by Wally Ingram (see last issue's Pictures from the Past) was one taken about 1924 looking over the Freezing Workers' war memorial. In those days the memorial was newly - erected. It looked down on a scene which was much different from that of today.

The harbour basin hadn't been developed then, or the rail bridge across the Turanganui. Close observers might note that the Garrison Hall was still standing in Fitzherbert Street, and that the Peel Street bridge was in course of construction. Naturally the William Pettie bridge was a busy spot in those days.

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As the picture shows when compared with today's version.

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Taken from as near as possible to the same spot.

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A fleet of Wards Transport vehicles was required for this haulage job....taking a 60-foot pre-cast concrete & steel bridge section 65 miles to the Mangamanu River, 30 miles in from Tolaga Bay. By using the pre-cast method, the new bridge was expected to be ready in only ten days.