Saturday, December 1, 2012

Opening of Wheelers Bridge, Creswick 1900



My Great Grandfather, Robert Williams Jones, was born at 5pm on the 9th December 1868 at Slaughter Yard Hill near Creswick, Victoria, Australia.  Robert worked as a miner in the Creswick area until his death at age 52, at the Creswick Hospital.

The photo below is the only photo that we have of Robert William Jones at "home", either in North Creswick or Daylesford.  He is standing near the window.



30 March 1900
According to family, my Great Grandfather, Robert William Jones, is among the men in this picture.
Unfortunately I don't know which one  he is.
"Advantage was taken by the municipalities of Creswick borough and Creswick shire of the presence of Mr. Graham, the Minister of Public Works in the Ballarat District on Friday last to arrange for the testing and formal opening of the new Wheeler's bridge, near Creswick, build on the Monier principle.  The Ministerial party, which was conducted through the district by Mr. Peacock and Mr. Grose, MLA's, proceeded by train to Creswick, and was driven thence to the site of the bridge at Lawrence.  The official test took place immediately, and consisted of running several times over the whole of the roadway two heavy traction engines, weighing in all 22 tons.  The bridge, which consists of two spans, each of 75ft, with a width of roadway of 94ft, withstood the test to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, Mr Graham remarking that it was a highly creditable piece of work, and marked a distinct era in municipal engineering practice.  After the test, Mr Graham was entertained at luncheon by the president of the Creswick shire, and in replying to the toast of his health, highly complimented the district for its enterprise.  The bridge, whose total cost was a little over £4,000, was erected by Messrs. Monash and Anderson, of Melbourne."

The Argus
Tuesday 3 April 1900
Page 4
Source: trove.nla.gov.au

The opening of Wheelers Bridge, Creswick
30 March 1900

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