WAITEMATA BRIDGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 754, 29 August 1929, Page 11

WAITEMATA BRIDGE

“TINGE OF POLITICS,” SAYS COUNCILLOR

FEELING AT DEVONPORT “There is a slight tinge of party politics about the suggested Harbour Bridge Commission,” was the terse comment of Deputy-Mayor J. Heslop, speaking at the Devonport Borough Council last evening in support of the Auckland Harbour Board's demand for a more expert personnel on the commission. He regarded the bridge question as one that was too important to the North Shore to be made a political party issue. An accountant of standing should be on the commission. His remarks precipitated a sharp debate, during which it was obvious that there is a strong body of opinion on the council that a harbour bridge that is not favourably placed to Devonport should be opposed. ur, Cassells-Brown considered that the chairman, from his remarks, was not opposed to 75 per cent, of the suggested personnel: the other 25 per cent, need not count. Mr. Furkert should be on the commission. The Bridge Association had done great work. Crs. Eyre and C. M. Browne, as declared supporters of the bridge, were opposed to any action that would seem to hamper the Bridge Association. Cr. Campbell would only support a bridge if guaranteed that Devonport would not be rated to keep it going. Cr. Little moved that no action be taken by the council regarding the personnel of the commission. Mr. Heslop moved an amendment that the council support the claim to have some harbour authority on the commission and had some difficulty in confining the discussion to the point at issue, and on a show of hands the voting was four for the amendment and four for the motion, Cr. Campbell refusing to vote. Mr. Heslop gave his casting vote for the amendment he had moved. It was resolved that next Wednesday the council-in-committee consider what evidence it should offer before the commission, if its order of preference deals with the need for a bridge and the question of sites. HARBOUR TUNNEL ENGINEER TO INVESTIGATE Mr. D. E. Harkness, of the civil engineering staff of the Auckland University College School of Engineering, has accepted the invitation of the Waitemata Chamber of Commerce to explore the project of a tunnel under the Waitemata. Mr. Harkness will deliver a lecture next week after gathering up data on similar schemes carried out elsewhere.