THE CEMETERY BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 135, 7 June 1907, Page 5

THE CEMETERY BRIDGE.

TWO TENDERS RECEIVED. £31,000 IN STEEL, __"_T5,000 IN FERRO-CONCRETE. After a delay of a- couple of months, ■to give American contractors a full opportunity of preparing their plans, tenders for the new high level bridge extending across the cemetery gully from Karangahape-road to Grafton-road finally closed with the City Council last night. Only two tenders were received, and both were in the neighbourhood of the engineer's estimate of £30,000. The first tender opened was that of John McLean and Sons, £31,314 2/6. This, the tenderers stated, was for a bridge in steel, with concrete foundations. Although it was not clear on the plan, complete provisions were made for proper foundations. Where the concrete did not extend to the sandstone, they proposed piles from slightly below the surface to the hard stratum below the clay. The American Bridge Company were designers and manufacturers of the bridge.

The second tender, from the Australian Ferro-Concrete Company, for a bridge in ferro-concrete, was £35,300.

Mr Tudehope expressed surprise that there were only two tenders, pointing out that Messrs John Burns and Co. had asked for an extension of time to secure a tender.

The Mayor said that he did not know, but he presumed that tbe firm was the same as that concerned in Messrs McLean's tender. In answer to Mr Farrell, Mr W. E. Bush, the city engineer, stated that the tender included the approach at the Karangahape-road end, but not at the Grafton end. where priv_tte property had to be purchased. This approach would not cost more than £1000. The other approach also included steps to the cemetery.

On-the motion of the Mayor the tenders were referred to the Streets Committee.