THE HARBOUR BRIDGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 107, 27 July 1927, Page 10

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE

BENEFIT TO SHORE SUBURBS The present proposals to construct a harbour bridge are of particular interest to people who contemplate building over on the North Shore. Persons who previously had to turn down the idea owing to their inability to face the ferry voyage, will now be reconsidering the very considerable claims of the northern boroughs. Statistics have been gathered by the Bridge Committee of the population to be served, and the following figures appear to be approximately correct. Population of northern boroughs, 20,000. Daily passenger traffic on the ferries in the summer, 12 to 15,000. Apart from the undoubted benefits to these, however, the bridge, if constructed, would be of inestimable benefit to the whole population of Northern Auckland, which is, approximately 72,000, in giving a more direct access to the main city. A further relevant fact is that there are approximately 12,000 motor vehicles in Northern Auckland. It is to the residents of the suburbs just over the harbour, however, that the bridge makes the biggest appeal. If such a bridge is built in the proper position, then the whole of the land on the north part of the harbour would increase in value, as would also that part of the city which would be affected by the increased traffic. TOWN-PLANNING There are several schemes afoot as to where the bridge would be built to the best advantage, but one of the most foremost is a plan which includes damming in a great part of the shallow bays over the harbour. These would eventually be filled in and built upon, and according to one estimate about 2,400 acres would be made available in this way. This would give town-planners an early opportunity to work out a fresh scheme. With such favourable advantages, the North Shore would soon grow into a little city on its own—a veritable garden suburb. ALTERNATIVE SCHEMES All the different schemes afoot, however, are concerned mainly with the construction of the bridge, and the points to be connected over the harbour. Whatever scheme is adopted the advantages to the population of North Shore remain the same as regards the opportunity for closer contact with the city. LAND BROUGHT CLOSER Not only would the people of Devonport, Stanley Bay and Takapuna be brought nearer the city, but the scheme would bring into the market a great deal of land lying what is now a considerable distance out. Property at, for example, Milford, which is now reached by a fairly long journey first by ferry and then by motor-bus, would then be as available as many of the suburbs south of Auckland. EXTRA EXPENSE The proposal that has been made in some quarters to pay part of the upkeep of the bridge out of toll-gates need not necessarily mean much individual expense. Experience in other countries indicates that the toll charges are very slight, certainly less than 2d or even Id for pedestrians, and only 3d or 4d for motors. IS IT PREMATURE? The opposition that has sometimes been expressed of the scheme on the ground that the volume of traffic is not yet sufficient, has been met by reference to the Grafton Bridge project. Grafton Bridge when built was declared to be before its time, but present indications are that it is scarcely large enough for the traffic. Many people interested in the scheme for the harbour bridge believe that such will be the experience here. UNDER THE HAMMER PROPERTY SALES PENDING The following properties are advertised to be sold under conduct of the registrar of the Supreme Court of Auckland: Samuel Vaile and Sons, Ltd., at their rooms, on July 29. a list of properties. including the following: Property at Eastbourne Road, Remuera. Farm property of three acres at Hillsborough, Three Kings. August 5: Property of 10 acres at Tamaki West, with six-roomed house. Property at Mountain Road. Epsom, with two-storey eight-roomed house. Leasehold farm property of 263 acres at Putaruru with six-roomed house. Property at Mountain View Road, Morningside, with four-roomed house. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile, at their rooms on August 5: Farm property of 713 acres at Pakirl. Farm property of 2,491 acres at Pakiri. Alfred Buckland end Sons, at their rooms, on August 5, a list of properties, including the following: Property of 19 acres at Huapai, with five-roomed house. Rutherford, Robinson and Austin, at th*ir rooms, on July 29. n list of proP«rtb.s, including the following: I roperty at. Mount Eden Road with 1 io P. med bungalow. I . North Auckland Farmers’ Co •opera*

five, Ltd., at their rooms, on Julv 29; Farm property of 42 acres at Henderson with five-roomed house. Farm property of 813 acres at Otonga, with 10-roomed kauri house. August s:—Farm property of 108 acres at Henderson with five-roomed house. August 19, at Kaikohe; Farm property of 86 acres at Kaikohe. The following properties are advertised to be sold by auction; William A. Horne, Ltd., on the property on July 29: Villa, five rooms, Cooper Street, Grey Dynn. Neville Newcomb, Ltd., at their rooms on July 29: •Five sections at Reumeya.