Bridge Enthusiasts Meet In Open Air

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 683, 7 June 1929, Page 11

Bridge Enthusiasts Meet In Open Air

GOVERNMENT’S GRANT APPOINTMENTS FOR INQUIRY Because of the failure of the guardian of the key to arrive with his charge, the committee of the Harbour Bridge Association held its meeting last evening clustered on the footpath outside the Waitemata Power Board offices. Questions relating to the personnel of the proposed inquiry committee were discussed while committee members cast wistful glances at the darkened windows of the building opposite them. Commenting on the pronouncement of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, made at his meeting oil Tuesday evening, regarding the promise of £SOO for investigation purposes. the chairman, Mr. R. H. Greville, suggested that some of the bridge enthusiasts might have been a little disappointed. There were two aspects that should not be lost sight of. “I think a public pronouncement, on its own. is worth a great deal,” said Mr. Greville. “Also, an audience of 4,000 people applauded the announcement in no uncertain manner. These people were not from the North Shore, either.” Mr. Greville considered that the committee should hasten to make suggestions as to the personnel of the committee of inquiry. “My own suggestion,” he continued, “is that we recommend the appointment of the Town Planner, Mr. J. W. Mawson an engineer of the Public Works Department, the head of the Department of Marine, and a Judge of the Supreme Court.” STRENUOUS OBJECTION A strenuous objection to the inclusion of the Public Works engineer was voiced by Mr. G. O’Halloran. The department had turned the committee down in the first instance, and then again through the Main Highways Board. The Department of Marine also was one with the Public Works Department. Mr. O’Halloran approved the other two suggestions, but proposed that an independent business man be included. “We would then gain the confidence of the public and the support of the business community,” he said. “It is quite all right for the departmental officials to give evidence at the inquiry, just as any other witness, hut we shall be making a grave mistake if we allow the Public Works Department to sit in judgment on our scheme.”

in the opinion of the chairman, the discussion was wasting time, as in two interviews with Sir Joseph Ward he had gathered the impression that the appointment of a Public Works Engineer would be insisted upon. Mr. F. W. Furkert would have to be on the committee, and it would be an insult to exclude him. “We might just as well suggest that he be sacked,” urged Mr. Greville. Mr. O’Halloran: What of that? Mr. Greville advanced as another reason for the necessity of including the departmental engineer the information, gleaned from the Harbour Board, that only the Public Works and Mines Departments had the necessary machinery for boring. Mr. W. Parkinson: The boring machinery is available for the use of any private person under certain conditions. BORINGS FOR EVIDENCE Mr. Greville urged the necessity of taking borings as soon as possible. It was necessary to have data so that evidence as to costs could be placed before the committee of inquiry. One site had been approved by the association, but it was necessary to gathei information, through borings, regarding other possible sites in case the one selected were considered unsatisfactory.

Mr. A. E. Greenslade was of the opinion that the committee of inquiry should decide where borings were to be taken and prepare estimates of the cost.

On the motion of Mr. J. Guinivan. it was decided that the executive take the question of borings in hand and consult the association’s honorary engineers, Messrs. F. Moore and S. Jone 3. Mr. Greville was gratified to note that the invitation extended to local bodies to appoint delegates to the committee had met with a favourable response. The City, Newmarket and Mt. Eden had already availed themselves of the invitation, and it was probable that Mt. Albert would do the same. “That means we should have representatives of four local bodies on each side of the harbour in addition to the support of the Waitemata County Council,” he said. MR. PELL'S RESIGNATION The chairman regretted having to announce the resignation of Mr. F. E. Pell, Auckland Automobile Association deputy, from the committee. “If hs takes things so much to heart, it is the only course open to him,” he said. Mr. J. B. Tonar eulogised the work of Mr. Pell on the commfttee, and moved that he be asked to reconsider his decision. This was unanimously agreed upon. The secretary made it clear that Mr. Pell was not resigning from the association, but merely from the committee.

The meeting was declared closed at an early hour, owing to the necessity of prominent members of the committee, inciuding the chairman, attending another function. The Power Board building was still in darkness, and not a few passers-by had stopped a moment to investigate the reason for the earnest little knot of people grouped upon the footpath and overflowing on to the road.