THE BRIDGE OF SIZE

NZ Truth, Issue 1208, 24 January 1929, Page 6

THE BRIDGE OF SIZE

Across The Auckland Harbor SOME OBSTACLES!® SURMOUNT (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) : -- ?< '^(niiuiiuiiiniiiuuinMiiuuiuuMuiuiiiiitiuiiiuHiuiiiiuiiuiiiiuniitniiuiiuiininiutmniiiuiiininniimiiinuiniiitntn | To bridge or not to bridge? ' '. ■ | | That is the question that is attracting 1 much public atten- | | tion m Auckland at presents - ' , I

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THERE is 'little contention as to the L value of a bridge across the harbor, linking the city with the populous North Shore. But just how, when, and where it will become an -accomplished fact is a matter that will not be settled m the near futureThere are innumerable interests irijvolved, all of which must be heard and debated at length before the semblance 'of a bridge scheme can emerge from the welter of words that engulf the whole project. ' , The paramount obstacle to be surmounted is; the potential effect a bridge will have on shipping and the fairway. It. is on this point that the Harbor Board, very properly, has taken a strong stand. „ - There will be no bridge across the harbor if shipping will thereby be menaced or interfered with m the slightest degree. Such is the logical and common-sense attitude of 'the Harbor Board, the opinion of whose members on this aspect of the scheme must carry the greatest possible^ weight. ..'.•■ The Board has no- definite objection

to a harbor bridge provided' the site. of the structure is sufficiently, far re-. " m.oved from the navigable, area of the fairway. And that is where the chief ■■ difficulty lies. ; : _ : A bridge erected , further west .than ; Freeman's Bay on, the city side "would have the disadvantage of not serving the desired ends of the North Shore, the bridge approach from which side . would, it is argued m some! quarters, militate greatly against the full public utility of the bridge. ,' .: It is problematical whether^a brideer as far westward as the Board might compatible with the, safety of ' shipping would fulfil the purpose- for which it is intended. :".■ - The Government has. authorized the expenditure of £500 on a suryeyVrbut all that has resulted from the yaWpus,, conferences between interested so far is .that, while it is agreed that • a bridge has become a public necessity, that necessity must conform m ; every essential to the safety of ship- ■•;,. ping, on r which, to a very large extent, i the. existence . of Auckland- and the .'. province depends. -;':' : ':'■'■ '.