THE PARNELL BRIDGE PIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 196, 17 August 1906, Page 6

THE PARNELL BRIDGE PIERS.

"ifiJST NOT BE EXTENDED. ,, FIRM STAND BY CITY COUNCIL, His Worship the Mayor of Auckland (Mr A. M. Myers) last evening reported to the City Council the result of his interview, in company with Councillor Bagnell, with the Han G. Fowlds relative to the proposed extension of the piers of the Parnell railway bridge They would, he said, be ull aware of the position of the case. The Government had suspended for the present any further progress in deference to local protests against the making of what was almost a tunnel across a leading thoroughfare. .It would be a positive crime to extend those piers, as they told the Minister, but the Minister thought the Government were right in maintaining what they considered best on principle. He (his Worship), pointed out to Mr Fowlds that they also were actuated by motives of principle and duty to their citizens. They recognised the responsibility of the .Government in the matter, but he ventured to say that not another analogous case could. be. found throughout the colony as existed in connection with the Parnell bridge. It was to lie regretted that the Government could not see its way to do as all the local bodies and the city and Parnell members of Parliament wished. That morning (Thursday) a conference had been held of the Mayors of Parnell and New-market, the Chairman of the Remuera Road Board, and himsejf to consider the question, and as a result of what transpired there he advised that the City Council should invite the borough Councils of Newraarket and Parnell, and the Road Board of Remuera to appoint delegates to discuss the subject further with the city's finance committee. Whatever rleeision was ultimately agreed on by that conference, those piers must not be extended. (Hear, hear.) It would be a positive disgrace to a ' city like Auckland—and ho. might add to the Government also—to do such a thing. The matter demanded immediate attention, and he would therefore move that delegates be invited to confer as suggested.

Councillor Baguall seconded, and it was agToed to.