HARBOUR BRIDGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 582, 7 February 1929, Page 7

HARBOUR BRIDGE

DEVONPORT COUNCIL NOT ENTHUSIASTIC

FAVOURS INVESTIGATION

The Devunport Borough Council is not enthusiastic about the harbour bridge project. At last evening's meeting of the council several members characterised the figures given for the cost of the suggested structure as ridiThe multiple distribution of traffic by the ferries was regarded as economical, while the fear of rating powers being given to a board to build bridges was considered a deterrent. The matter came up on an annlioHtion by the Marine Boroughs’ .Ls'oci.-i- ---, to have the opinion of the four lndiyidual boroughs on the question of a bridge. Mr. E. Aldridge, the Mayor, explained that the Marine Boroughs’ Association did not wish to go on record as giving an opinion, as the matter was one on which the delegates had not been instructed. Personally as the council's delegate to the Bridge Association. he was in favour of the br.-dge; it would be a great factor in causing a. flow of population across the harbour.

Cr. Lyon declared that the dav of bridges wiis past. He was familiar with the building of the Forth and other bridges in Fnglarui was was sure the estimated costs of the Waitemata bridge were ridiculous. He favoured a tunnel. The Government was to built a railway under the city, and could carry it under the harbour. Cr. Massey expressed himself in favour of a bridge.

Cr. Campbell: What good is a bridge at Northcote* to Deronport ? Mr. Aldridge explained that all the council was asked was whether it supported the idea of a bridge, but councillors considered that such an endorsement would be taken to mean the supporting of the present scheme.

On the motion of the Mayor it was resolved that the idea of a departmental investigation be approved, Cr. Walsh’s proposal that the department also investigate the tunnel suggestion being left out on the ground that very likely the department would consider it anyway.