How A Bridge Was

Built

Forgotten Bit of Fiji History

Letter to the Editor OVER the caption “Sigatoka River Bridge on the New Highway, East ward of Suva, Fiji”, there appears in your issue of October a photo of the C.S.R. Co.’s railway bridge spanning the Sigatoka River at Na Vunasalu. It is a good photo of the bridge, but the cap tion is misleading inasmuch as it conveys the impression that the bridge is of re cent erection. It is quite true that the traffic portion of that structure now forms part of the Queen’s Highway Road westward of Suva, but it was built by the C.S.R. Co, some 28 years ago.

A perusal of the Fiji Legislative Coun cil debates of 1911 will enlighten those who desire to learn how the C.S.R. Co., came to construct—at its own expense— an additional width of bridge, when all it wanted to do was to erect one to carry its own cane trains.

In 1910, the C.S.R. Co., brought a Bill entitled “The Ba-Kavanagasau Light Railways Bill” to the Fiji Legislative Council, asking that it be passed.

The then Acting Attorney-General, Mr.

Alexander, opposed the Bill, on the grounds that it contained no provision whereby the public interests would be safeguarded. He contended, inter alia, if and when the C.S.R. Co., built a bridge over the Na Sigatoka River, that ade quate facilities should be provided for the convenience of the travelling public.

He further submitted that the Co., should be compelled to deck the two bridges which it had already thrown over the Lomawai and Namarau streams.

The debates were conducted with great keenness and even led to an exchange— through the columns of the local press— of correspondence between Mr. E. Knox, general manager of the C.S.R. Co., and the Acting Attorney-General. Mr. Alex ander. Mr. Knox maintained that his Co., constructed the light-tramways, including all bridges, for the sole purpose of fur thering the interests of their business: that the Co.’s enterprise and canital were alone responsible; that the public of Fiji was contributing nothing towards the cost of construction and maintenance, so it was therefore manifestlv unjust that the Fiji Government should attempt to comnel his Co., to contribute anything to wards the public convenience.

Mr. Alexander took un a stand com pletely opposite. He contended that public convenience must come first. The proof that his contention was endorsed by the Legislative Council is to be found in the facts that there is a portion of the Na Sigatoka bridge being used bv the public for general traffic —and has been so used for about 28 years—and that the bridges over the Lomawai and Namarau streams were decked and maintained by the Co., thoue-h these latter did not come into general use for many years.

Though the credit for having should ered the exnense belongs to the C.S.R.

Co., to Sir Brickham Sweet-Escott funder whom Mr. Alexander served) and to his predecessor, Sir H. May, must be given the kudos for having taken so long sighted a view—because. I may state, the Governor did not have the undi vided support of the elected side of the Council.

It cannot do any harm to let the pre sent generation of residents in Fiii know what the Colonv owes to the far-sighted ness and devotion to duty of those Ad ministrators who have gone before.

I am, etc..

Theo. D. Diaz.

Colo North. Fiii.

Nov., 12. 1938.

Mr. and Mrs. M. G. James reached Wellington by the November “Maul Pomare” from Ania. on leave. He is senior wireless operator in Western Sa moa.