Taungatara Bridge Te Kiri area
Production date
1922
1920-1929
Description
Photograph shows a group of men, horses and carts and one man on a motor bike, lined across the bridge. On the left is a dairy factory. The bridge was rebuilt following a storm in 1936 that destroyed the earlier bridge. This photograph may have been taken shortly after the completion of the new bridge.
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Object detail
1920-1929
Public comments
In Feb 1936 a storm caused severe flooding of many South Taranaki rivers. Both the Punehu and Taungatara River bridges, near Te Kiri, were washed away, and the dairy factory on the left was put out of action by the flood which caused undermining of the buildings foundations. A new factory was built on the west side of the river on higher ground. I believe that this photograph could have been taken shortly after the new bridge was completed. While this bridge was being built all the milk from surrounding farms was taken by horse and dray to the Awatuna Dairy factory, In order to do this the Punehu River was crossed by a temporary stone and wooden bridge. Timber from the cheese store room at this factory was purchased by the residents of Makaka village and was used as flooring on the still standing Makaka Hall - It made the best dance floor in South Taranaki. The residence on the right hand side belonged at the time to the McCandlish family.
- Ross McCandlish posted 4 years ago.