SYDNEY'S BIG BRIDGE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 287, 15 September 1933, Page 7

SYDNEY'S BIG BRIDGE.

BURDEN OF THE TOLLS. DEMAND FOR ABOLITION. On the north side of Sydney Harbour the Harbour Bridge is not an unmixed blessing. The expectation was that it would add quickly to the population on the north side. An inflow of settlers from the southern and western suburbs, as well as from the city proper, was hoper for. The natural attractions of the North Shore and of the elevated suburbs on the railway line proceeding north gave reason for high hope. Development has been checked by the cost of travelling to and from the city owing to the charge for crossing the bridge.

A correspondent says: "Easy fares and no bridge toll would attract thousands of families to the suburbs between North Sydney and Hornsby, where beautiful gardens merge with the native bush and where, from a height of 200 ft to 600 ft, the distant Blue Mountains are seen on the horizon.

The. municipal authorities are now demanding the abolition of the bridge tolls and are asking that the bridge be declared a national work. Only in this way, it is said, can the public have the way opened to it to enjoy the pure air and generally pleasing surrounding of the higher levels of the North Shore line; and only in this way can North Sydney become the Australian Brooklyn. Pessimists say that much water will flow under the bridge before the demand is acceded to, but. they may err.