NEW WHAU BRIDGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1011, 30 June 1930, Page 1

NEW WHAU BRIDGE

OBJECTIONS TO COSTS TASK FOR COMMISSIONER The commission to apportion the cost of the new Whau Bridge among the local bodies concerned will begin its sittings at the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. Members of the local bodies will be present, but the Auckland Harbour Board will not be directly represented. The New Lynn Borough Council 1 n asked for a postponement of th' inquiry, as it thinks the order of reference is not sufficiently wide; but Mr. 2. Bold, the commissioner, has informed the council that he considers his powers are wide enough for the purpose. Mr. Bold was empowered to investigate the construction of a new traffic bridge and to allocate the costs payable by the eight local bodies concerned. Under the circumstances, the New Lynn Borough Council thought liis activities would be confined to the question of costs, and that he would be unable to consider a matter of wider importance—rthe type of structure to lie used.

It is possible that the commission may have to inquire into the suitability of the design approved by the Main Highways Board. Some of the local authorities are objecting to the increased cost of the bridge, which is said to be due to restrictions imposed upon the design by the Auckland Harbour Board. The New Lynn Borough Council now intends to offer a cheaper proposal for consideration, though it may suggest instead that the Harbour Board be cited as a. party to the cost because of tho board’s action in having the design altered and the cost increased. It is doubtful whether the latter course can be adopted. As the controlling local body, the N'ew Lynn Borough Council proposed the following allocation of the cost, which, for tho plan submitted, is £13,000: Auckland City Council, 40 per cent.; New Lynn Borough Council, 25 Per cent.; Waitemata County Council, 11.5 per cent.; Glen Eden Town Board, ? per cent.; Henderson Town Board, 11 Percent.; Mount Albert Borough Council, 2.5 per cent.; Mount Eden Borough Council, 1.5 per cert.; Helensvi.lle Town Board, 1.5 per ce it. This allocation Wa s based on traffic tallies taken at the bridge.