"Pay Your Way" (Wairarapa) Traditional Cache

This cashe was placed here to bring to the old tollgate that used to bar access to the bridge from 1872 to 1886 has been restored and erected at a picnic spot at the northern end of the bridge, near the cemetery, so that everyone can be reminded of the area's history.

The first bridge across the Waiohine River was built in 1859. Tolls were collected from 1872 until 1886. A dedicated toll operator lived on site and pocketed the tolls paying the Carterton Borough Council an annual lease for the priveledge.

The original toll gate was recovered by Howard Booth from a paddock in Carterton, and will be incorporated in the landscaping for the bridge, along with a sign outlining the history behind the gate.

The first bridge lasted for 22 years and was replaced by a second wooden one which in turn was replaced by the existing concrete structure in 1921. In 1975 the deck was widened to its present width.

The cache is a 150ml screwtop container containing a logbook only.