GRANT FOR BRIDGE WORK

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 823, 18 November 1929, Page 11

GRANT FOR BRIDGE WORK

W AHEM AT A POWER BOARD GIVES 25 GUINEAS “10i> GUINEAS TOO MUCH’’ “I think we should show our support in some tangible form and I suggest a donation of 100 guineas,” said Mr. A. E. Greensladc at a. meeting of the Waitemata Electric-Power Board held this morning, when it was decided that the chairman of the board, Mr. J. W. Hayden, be authorised to give evidence at the Harbour Bridge Commission. “It is in the board’s best interests to do all it can to have permission granted for the erection of the bridge. By making a grant we certainly do not make ourselves liable, and yet if the bridge is built we will get all the ! benefits.” continued Mr. Greenslade. j In seconding the motion, Mr. W. B. j Harlow said that he considered the } advent of the bridge would be of im- j mens© value to the board, for practi- ; cally all the area on that side of the 1 water belonged to the board. “I am not exactly opposed to the ! bridge, but I certainly cannot see all j that advance which will be made on • the North Shore as suggested by Mr. ; Greenslade,” said Mr. J. Ma.ekie. “Tlie ■ land over there is not suitable for 1 land settlement, and the bridge cannot be considered as an urgent means of relieving congestion, because there is still plenty of room on this side.” On being asked what the residents at North Shore had done toward to the bridge, Mr. Greenslade said that they had been putting their hands into their pockets for years, while local bodies had also made donations. A Voice: But not £IOO. Mr. Greenslade: Twenty-seven thousand pounds to extend lines to Melensville is considered quite all right by people round this table, and yet they object to a donation of 100 guineas for a bridge across the harbour, which would be all in' the interests of the board. Two or three members felt that the time was not yet opportune to make such a large grant, but preferred to wait and find out something more definite. "But that money is wanted now for j the purposes of gathering evidence to carry on with the commission. The bridge means too much to us not to support it.” said Mr. G. O’Halloran. "The association has had no big subscriptions so far. except from the A.A.A., which donated £ 50. We should certainly look upon it from a broad point of view.” Air. Hayden; I suggest to Mr. Greenslade that we move a grant of 25 guineas. There is nothing to stop the board from giving more later on. | Mr. W. R. T. Leighton, in moving i the amendment to give £25, said that ! it was taking too much responsibility j on the board to give 100 guineas. • Mr. Marks: I am not opposed to ! the- bridge, but I consider that the i board should not spend the ratepayers’ | money in obtaining evidence fo.r one i side only. It was finally decided that a sum J of 25 guineas be granted.