BRIDGE PROBLEMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 699, 26 June 1929, Page 12

BRIDGE PROBLEMS

EFFECT ON DEVONPORT LAND VALUES INFORMATION WANTED 'ITTHAT will be the evidence given on behalf of Devonport if the Auckland Harbour Bridge Commission calls for bpinions as to the effect of the proposed harbour bridge? This was the question that exercised tho Waitemata Chamber of Commerce meeting at Devonport last evening, Mr. T. Walsh presiding. Mr. S. E. Kennings was of opinion that, so far, no reliable or authoritative effort had been made to ascertain the views of the great mass of the people of Devonport on the bridge issue, nor had any responsible public body sought to secure proper data to justify it giving a lead to the public. It was possible that Devonport might find itself in a sort of eddy or backwash if - the bridge scheme was finalised. He was not prepared to pledge his property as security fo-r the scheme unless it could be shown that there was to be some tangible quid pro quo. LOOKING AFTER No. 1 One could take a wide view of the whole issue and still not ignore the fact that, while the rest of Nprth Shore was looking after “No. 1,” Devonport was asleep, lie added. If it let the commission go without pointing out all the facts, the commission might be justified in believing that Devonport acquiesced in the scheme. The chamber should invite the Mayor of Devonport. who was chairman of the Bridge Committee, to supply all the information that the ratepayers would naturally ask, or someone else authorised to speak for.the Bridge Association should be invited. Many people were apprehensive that they might find themselves made compulsory supporters of the bridge, which might not be any benefit, or might even be a factor in lowering property values in Devonport. Mr. Walsh explained that Mr. Aldridge was acting in a personal capacity as an advocate of the bridge. He was one of the Devonport Borough Council delegates on the association. The council had considered it was a personal matter as to whether a councillor should support the bridge, and had defined its own policy as being willing to get all information, and had not opposed the setting up of the sug-. gested commission. The fear expressed by Mr. Kennings was real. If Devonport property values slumped by one-third it would mean a million loss to Devonport owners of property. NORTHCOTE’S SUITABILITY

Mr. G. Falla pointed out that the Government railways were considering the electrifying of a subway railway to Morningside, which would be competing with any bridge for north-bound traffic; moreover, there might not be any grounds for believing that the northern couinties and local bodies would remodel their roading systems to oblige the bridge advocates. A bridge to Northcote, apart from ulterior considerations, seemed the most suitable place if ever one was built, and it might be less of a danger there to Devonport, which had to contemplate the possibility of a bridge reducing the ferry services to such a point that Devonport would he almost isolated.

The secretary, Mr. G. Thomas, reported that he had made preliminary ary inquiries as to the feasibility of a tunnel under the harbour. Mr. Lamb, of the engineering school at the University, had referred the subject to Mr. I-larkness, and he was ready to address the chamber at a suitable date on the subject. Mr. Harkness, in a letter, said that such matters as cost, convenience of site, obstruction of harbour, vulnerability in war, setting up tidal currents, etc., would have to be considered in any bridge scheme; a tunnel might or might not be cheaper than a bridge and all its bearings would have to be examined. He .quoted from a report of the Association of Pacific Coast Engineers about the schemes for bridging the Golden Gate Harbour, wherein it was advised that competent engineers should thoroughly investigate any project of the kind before any estimate of cost be formulated.

The chamber resolved that as much information as possible be obtained, and that both the Harbour Bridge Association and Mr. Harkness be invited to address members.