CHARLESTON
Just above this basin was the Nile bridge, a pile logbridge built in 1866-1867, swept away by a flood in 1874, rebuilt as a suspension bridge in 1875, and now replaced by a modern reinforced-concrete structure of five spans of forty feet each, on a site six chains further up the river, the road having been straightened to approach it, at both ends.
For a period of about a year between the destruction of the pile bridge and the opening of the suspension bridge, a boat-ferry from the old wharf (on the Charleston side of the river) and Small’s Beach (a sand-spit in the basin) operated; but old hands tell that the erection of a “Bosun’s Chair” was discussed, such as existed at Fox River and at Teremakau. These contrivances are box affairs on pulley ropes, suspended high above the stream. In this the passenger sits or huddles, and propels himself across by pulling on a second cable. He needs to be sober, or comparatively sober. It is related that one not quite so, stopped when half-way across Kumara’s River, fell asleep, remained all night in a gorge wind almost as keen as Greymouth’s “barber,” spent some time in hospital, and earned the soubriquet of “The Comet.”
The natural beauty of the lower reaches of the Nile was marred by the discoloration and pollution of its water by the quantity of tailings swept into it from the Charleston workings, and by the felling of the forest that had lined its banks; but in its upper part were many scenes to enchant the eye, much scenic loveliness, the clear stream winding about through bush-clad flats and narrow gorges.
In 1867 Mr. Charles Nees was authorised to construct a tramline from the Nile bridge to Darkie’s Terrace Road, the terminus being just behind the Camp Reserve, where a site for a “Station” was granted. This tramway was also used by the Nile Steam Sawmill Company to convey logs to its mill behind the Nile Hotel. It was later extended across the bridge and ran along the northern bank of the river to the timberlands beyond a small creek, then unnamed, but later known as Drennan’s Creek, wherein boys loved to angle for minnows and native trout. This wooden-railed tramway extension was through virgin bush, a delightful stroll, a lovers’ walk. It is still shown on maps, but as “a track.” Not many
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