MRCHLS 1992 sheet 11 16
Graeme Butler - 1992 survey images from Macedon Ranges cultural heritage and landscape study 1994:.
The contract to erect this bridge was fought for and lost by John Monash, the loss producing a number of angry letters from Monash on what he regarded as the inferior and costly construction opted for by the two shires concerned, rather than his moderately priced and `absolutely permanent' reinforced concrete model{ Melbourne University Archives Monier collection #589}. He cited the success of his design (Doggett's Bridge, demolished) for the Romsey Shire which had withstood the disastrous 1906 floods. A minor controversy arose when the Romsey Shire's consulting engineer, Herbert Crowther BA MCE, called for tenders to erect two large road bridges, one at Daly's crossing and another at Donovan's crossing, in October 1906. New prices were required when Crowther extended the length of each bridge but the decision on whose price was chosen was left to a conference between the Romsey and Springfield Shires in November 1906. Some councillors favoured timber, although its supply in the area had been somewhat reduced, but most favoured steel or concrete. Choosing between the Reinforced Concrete & Monier Pipe Construction Co. P/L concrete bridges and the Ballarat firm, Jenkins Brothers steel versions, the councillors ignored the 400 pounds price difference in favour of concrete and went for steel. Monash wrote letters to C Catani at the Public Works Department, the secretary to the minister and the newspaper, noting that the chosen design was `flimsy' and `unsafe' but to no avail. The bridge was portrayed in early postcards{ R&LDHS postcard}.
MRCHLS 1992 sheet 11 16
Graeme Butler - 1992 survey images from Macedon Ranges cultural heritage and landscape study 1994:.
The contract to erect this bridge was fought for and lost by John Monash, the loss producing a number of angry letters from Monash on what he regarded as the inferior and costly construction opted for by the two shires concerned, rather than his moderately priced and `absolutely permanent' reinforced concrete model{ Melbourne University Archives Monier collection #589}. He cited the success of his design (Doggett's Bridge, demolished) for the Romsey Shire which had withstood the disastrous 1906 floods. A minor controversy arose when the Romsey Shire's consulting engineer, Herbert Crowther BA MCE, called for tenders to erect two large road bridges, one at Daly's crossing and another at Donovan's crossing, in October 1906. New prices were required when Crowther extended the length of each bridge but the decision on whose price was chosen was left to a conference between the Romsey and Springfield Shires in November 1906. Some councillors favoured timber, although its supply in the area had been somewhat reduced, but most favoured steel or concrete. Choosing between the Reinforced Concrete & Monier Pipe Construction Co. P/L concrete bridges and the Ballarat firm, Jenkins Brothers steel versions, the councillors ignored the 400 pounds price difference in favour of concrete and went for steel. Monash wrote letters to C Catani at the Public Works Department, the secretary to the minister and the newspaper, noting that the chosen design was `flimsy' and `unsafe' but to no avail. The bridge was portrayed in early postcards{ R&LDHS postcard}.