Preece Family Tree

BRIDGE AT CUDLEE CREEK

On Friday, February 2, the foundation-stone of a bridge over the Torrens at Cudlee Creek was laid in the presence of a large concourse of near residents and visitors from Gumeracha, Millbrook, Kersbrook, and other parts, with a large sprinkling of the fair sex. The bridge is built on six piers, the two centre spans being 31 feet, and side spans 18 feet. The piers are all built of good solid stones, and the centre pier is a solid piece of masonry 22 feet long and six feet wide, some of the stones weighing half a ton. The roadway is made of solid pieces of red-gum, some magnificent trees having been cut in the neighbourhood for the purpose. Altogether the bridge will be a good, firm, and sustantial structure, likely to withstand any flood. The people in the district deserve credit for their liberality, some two or three having subscribed as much as £50 each, which, with smaller sums, made the private subscriptions in all £225, showing the want of a bridge on the spot. The Counsil of Para Wirra have very liberally supported the Talunga Council by making a new road, which, although as yet not finished, will greatly facilitate the traffic.

The bridge is situated in a gorge, some of the hills rising hundreds of feet almost perpendicularly. The nearest resident, Dr. Ledgard, not only gave the Council land to the value of £50, but has also provided the stone, timber and limestone. The bridge is situated about two miles from the Millbrook Hotel, turning off the main road at Mr. Mcleane's, Sunning Hill. Soon after the appointed hour, 2 o'clock, Miss S. Hannaford, the young lady selected to perform the important ceremony, stepped forward, and in a most graceful manner declared the stone to be well and truly laid, several coins and documents being placed in a bottle under the stone. Mr. F. Hannaford and Mr. Hooper, Chairmen of Talunga and Para Wirra District Councils, also Mr. W. Kelly and Mr. Gollop, mounted the stone, and made some short remarks appertaining to the bridge, when hearty cheers were given for the Queen, Miss Hannaford, the Councils, &c., which closed to proceedings.

The following were the documents deposited under the stone:- "River Torrens, Cudlee Creek, February 3, 1871. The design of this bridge was designed by John Gollop; and a public meeting having been called on the 23rd day of October, 1871, by the District Council of Talunga, to be held on this immediate spot, when the plans and specifications were presented to the meeting by the designer hereof, which design was very highly approved of; and a subscription of £177 was made on the ground by the near residents, and further subscriptions were given, making the total sum £225. Tenders were invited for the erection of this bridge, in accordance with the above-mentioned plan and specifications, on November 14, 1870. John Gollop's tender being accepted, the erection to be under the superintendence of Frederick Hannaford, Esq., of Mount Bera, Chairman of the District Countil of Talunga, and on this 3rd day of February, in the year of our Lord 1871, Miss Susannah Hannaford favoured the contractor by laying the foundation stone of the above bridge, and being the 34th year of the reign of our Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. God save the Queen. The foundation-stone of this bridge was laid by Miss Susannah Hannaford, daughter of Frederick Hannaford, Esq., Chain or Ponds, on the 3rd day of February, 1871, in the 34th year of the reign of our Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, the Right Honourable Sir James Fergusson, Bart., being Governor of South Australia. The bridge was built by private subscription and grant-in-aid from Government, under the supervision of the District Councils of Talunga and Para Wirra. - Fred. Hannaford (Chairman), James Phillis, John Harvey, James Brandis, Anton. Pickert, and H. T. Bagshaw (Clerk) of Talunga District Council; James Hooper (Chairman), W. Caust, John Giddings, A. Shillabeer, John Symonds, and H. H. Blackham (Clerk of Para Wirra Council."