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Laying the foundation-stone of the Brisbane Bridge, Queensland, New South Wales, 1864. 'The foundation-stone of the new bridge to connect the north and south portions of the city...was laid, on the 22nd of August, by Sir G. F. Bowen...The structure thus commenced, from the designs of Messrs. Robson and I'Anson, engineers, is to be an iron lattice bridge...The actual cost is estimated at from £50,000 to £60,000, which will be defrayed by the Corporation of the city of Brisbane. The ceremony of laying the first stone was witnessed by some fifteen hundred persons admitted within the inclosure, besides three or four thousand unprivileged spectators who crowded both banks of the river...The platform, or dais, approached by a flight of steps from the river embankment, was occupied by Sir G. F. Bowen, Lady Bowen...the President of the Legislative Council and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, with several members of their bodies; the Mayor, Aldermen, and municipal officers; the superintending engineer, Mr. T. Oldham; [and] the contractor, Mr. J. Bourne...There was a guard of honour formed of the Volunteer Rifles, under Captain Denry. A band of music performed the National Anthem, and the blue ensign was hoisted on the arrival of the Governor'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864. Laying the foundation-stone of the Brisbane Bridge, Queensland, New South Wales, 1864. Creator: Unknown. (KEYSTONE/HERITAGE IMAGES/THE PRINT COLLECTOR)