HARBOUR BRIDGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 212, 20 June 1933, Page 7

HARBOUR BRIDGE

AN AUCKLAND PROJECT.

FUNDS AVAILABLE IN BRITAIN.

(Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, June 19,

A highly important development 'in connection with the proposal to construct a bridge across Waitemata Harbour is announced. Tins, according to the bridge Company, will make an eariy start witii tne undertaking assured.

The directors to-day announced.that they had .received advice from England tnut £JL,SOO,OUU is ready and available to Jouild tlxe bridge, provided certain 'financial details are settled locally. .During the past days these details have been adjusted as tar as l\ew Zealand is concerned. All that remains is for these details to be settled in London, and the company cabled London to-day with that eud in view. The directors also recorded their appreciation of the services of Mr A. Harris, M.P., in negotiating in Wellington for such conditions as were necessary to enable the company to take advantage of the offer.

It has been estimated that the bridge will provide work for 400 men for three years, apart from the indirect benefits.

An agitation for the construction, of a bridge to span the Waitemata Harbour, so that Auckland City and surrounding districts would be linked with the marine suburbs of Northcote, -Birkenhead, Devonport and Takapuna, was begun about seven years ago, m consequence of' prolonged discussions of the project by an association established to bring about the erection of a bridge. Candidates for the Waitemata seat at the general election of 1928 fought their campaign almost solely on the question of the bridge, one of the aspirants for the seat styling himset "the Father of the Harbour Bridge, while another candidate disputed the title. In view of the .fact that even the site of the proposed bridge had not been decided, many saw an element of humour in the situation, but the Harbour Bridge proposal continued to be a lively local topic up till the time that the Government made a sum of money available for borings and an exploration of the bed of the harbour.