HARBOUR BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 239, 9 October 1928, Page 9

HARBOUR BRIDGE.

£500 FOR A SURVEY.

PRIME MINISTER'S PROMISE. COMMITTEE FAVOURABLE. AUCKLAND MEMBERS PLEASED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. A definite promise was made by the Prime Minister in the House this afternoon that the Government would grant £500 for an investigation concerning the Auckland Harbour bridge projiect. The promise was made following the presentation of a favourable report by a Select Committee on the petition seeking Government assistance for prospecting the harbour bed. Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) expressed gratification at the report of the committee, and stressed the necessity for boringß and other preliminary work before plans were prepared. There was a very definite public opinion behind the petition, and to-day it was far stronger than ever before. There was earnest desire that there should be a main highway connecting Auckland with the Far North. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui): What rating area do you propose? Mr. Harris: That is a matter for investigation. It was not proposed, he said, to ask the Government to undertake the work, but they proposed to suggest that the Government undertake preliminary operations, at a cost of about £500, which he thought they would admit, was not unreasonable. The people of Auckland believed that the scheme was so practicable and desirable that it would pay its way from-the outset, and also 'pay interest and sinking fund on the whole capital invested. "Cost Not More Than £750,000."

Sjr Joseph Ward: Will you send us an invitation to the opening? Mr. Harris: Yes, certainly, and I hope the hon. gentleman will live long enough to see this important structure an accomplished fact. "The bridge would not cost more that three-quarters of a million," said Mr. Harris, "and if it were constructed by 1033 there would be sufficient traffic to pay interest and sinking ftand on charges only half those of the present ferry charges. A tally taken last February disclosed that 5431 vehicles crossed the harbour, an average of 776 daily. Many thousands of members, at 5/ per head, had enrolled in the Harbour Bridge Association, which had gone as far as it could go without Government assistance. The association now asked the Government to undertake a preliminary survey of the harbour bed. There could be no question of vested interests. He thanked the committee for'ita distinctly favourable report." Sir Joseph Ward said the scheme had a great deal to recommend it. He hoped any survey report made would not confine itself to the bridge, but would include the estimated cost of tunnelling. Auckland possessed a great asset in its beautiful harbour, which should not be spoiled. Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) thought the committee's finding was very reasonable. The foundation of the harbour 6ould be ascertained for about £500, and, in view of the strong desire of Aucklanders to push the scfieme to completion the Government would do well to pay. the preliminary expenses. The scheme was backed by • considerable body of public opinion, and the people had already subscribed liberally. ■ Personally he would be surprised if the bridge would cost only £500,000, as he had always understood the cost would be neaerer £1,000,000. A Thorough Investigation. The Prime Minister said it was a big project, and a certain amount of preliminary, work should be dbne by way of investigation to ascertain what the advantages and disadvantages were. Sir Joseph Ward: Would it include the tunnel project? Mr. Coates: All possibilities would be embraced. That district will grow like wildfire. When they say a bridge will be constructed in a year or two they are talking of the impossible. Nothing can be done till that investigation is carried out. All I can say is that if the investigation will.cost only £500, and it will produce an approximate estimate, I will say "Yea, at once; by all means it shall be done. It is the cheapest thing I've had put up to me for many a long day." Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West) expressed pleasure at Mr. Coates' statement, because there was no doubt that the scheme Would be financially sound. Mr. V. H. Potter (Roskill) suggested that if the Prime Minister would allow premium bonds to be issued Auckland could soon pay for the bridge. Mr. Coates: You can't get that from me. Mr. Potter: I was putting the proposition with an "if." Messrs. H. G. R. Mason (Eden) and W. Jones (Whangarei) assured the House that the proposal was practical. Mr. J. Bitchener, chairman of the committee, expressed satisfaction at the Prime Minister's prompt action on the recommendation. The report was adopted.