HARBOUR BRIDGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 945, 11 April 1930, Page 8

HARBOUR BRIDGE

MR. COATES CONSENTS TO VICE-PRESIDENCY COMMISSION’S REPORT DUE The Leader of the Opposition the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, has conJ sented to become a vice-president of the Auckland Harbour Bridge Association. Mr. Coates agreed to accept the office when approached recently in Auckland. He expressed willingness to attend meetings when opportunity offered and to take the chair when called upon. This announcement was made at the annual meeting last evening by its honorary solicitor. Mr. C. H. Wills. He suggested that the meeting should ad- ; journ until the third week in May i n order to effect an alteration to the rules enabling the election of three vice-presidents instead of one as at present. “I think that if Mr. Coates identifies himself with the bridge scheme it will mean that to a certain extent his party will also be associated with the movement.” said Mr. Wills. ■We know how the United Party stands—the party is in favour of the project,” he continued. With regard to the Labour Party, it had several members on the committee. As far as the Leader of the Labour Party was concerned, it would be necessary to obtain his consent, and the speaker’s opinion was that Mr. Holland, being Parliamentary representative of a Westland constituency, would not likely be as interested personally in the bridge project as a resident of Auckland. By the third week in May the commission’s report should be out and the meeting would have something urgent to discuss. “I think politics should be left out of the affairs of this association,” said Mr. F. T. Eyre. “There is a lot in what has already been said, that if Mr. Coates is to be appointed, why not Mr. Holland?” The motion to adjourn was lost, notice being given to effect the. desired alterations to the rules respecting the number of vice-presidents at a special meeting to be held on the same evening as the next general meeting. RELEASE OF REPORT The president of the association. Mr. R. H. Greville, said the report of the Royal Commission which heard evidence for and against the scheme last year was expected to be presented to tho Government on May 1. The date when the report would be released depended on Cabinet. Air. Greville said that in the event of the commission finding in favour, and the scheme being feasible financially, the association intended to take steps to have empowering legislation introduced during the forthcoming session. If there was any possibility of the commission’s report being presented when due, there would be no justification for adjourning the meeting, was the opinion of Air. A. G. Osborne. By no stretch of imagination, however, could he believe that the report would be published by date. Experience proved that governments invariably delayed placing the findings of their commissions for some time after their submission. “We are quite prepared for certain action in the event of the report being unfavourable,” Air. Greville declared in answer to a question. “The only thing that I can see which may be unfavourable is the date the bridge should be undertaken. After all, that is a matter of opinion. We have heard of occasions w’here a work has gone on despite the recommendation of a commission,” he said. ROUTINE BUSINESS Apologies were received for the absence of Air. A. Harris, M.P., and Air. G. O’Halloran, vice-president. The annual report, after traversing at length the events leading up to the sitting of the recent commission, stated that the association could reflect with proper pride on its work and had the satisfaction of knowing that what was a few years ago considered a highly fantastic, if not impossible, project was now within the realm of practicability. “There is no doubt that during last year more firms and citizens of standing have given the association support than in past years, while the local bodies of » Greater Auckland have shown increased support of the project,” the report concluded. “There was a time when some members of my profession regarded me as something of a crank,” remarked Air. Greville, in returning thanks for his re-election. ‘lt was not many years ago that the movement was greeted with derision,” he added. Several speakers paid a tribute to Air. Greville for his services in working for the bridge. The election of officers resulted: Patrons, Sir Joseph Ward and the Alayors of Auckland and the four North Shore boroughs; president, Air. R. H. Greville; vice-president. Air. G. O’Halloran; committee, Airs. McLaglilen. Air. A. Harris, M.P., and Alessrs. T. Bloodworth, A. Hopkins, M. Blampied, W. Marks, A. Wilson, P. Billett, R. Alartin, H. Bell-Booth, F. Charman, J. B. Tonar, G. Large. J. McDonald, W. Parkinson, A. St. Clair Brown, C. W. Johnston, G. Creamer, T. C. Pow, K. W. Griggs, A. G. Osborne, R. Hopkins, W. H. Alurray, C. G. Tisdall and J. A. Robertson; honorary engineers, Alessrs. S. W. Jones, F. Aloore, R. Adams and F. E. Pow’ell; honorary treasurer. Captain C. G. Ashdowne; hononary auditor, Air. F. T. Eyre; honorary solicitor, Air. C. H. Wills.