WESTERN VIADUCT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 55, 6 March 1929, Page 10

WESTERN VIADUCT.

FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

HARBOUR BOARD'S DECISION.

TOTAL LOST OF STRUCTURE £130,000

As reque-ted at the la?t meeting of the Harbour Board the engineer (Mr. Drummond Hoiderne-s 1 submitted amended plan- at yesterday's meeting t'ol- the propo-ed viaduct v'vhich will connect Prince's and Western wharves, axv ell a? bring the \\ e-tern reclamation closer to the citv.

Subsequent to Mr. Ho'deniess briefiv explaining the plan-. Mr. H. R. Mackenzie. chairman, moved: "That the plans be approved, and that the eastern portion of the viaduct be immediately' proceeded with." Mr. Mackenzie pointed out that an open space of water lor small shipping had been provided for. He expressed the opinion that the board had plenty of land for leasing purpose-, and that that particular part would not be needed for many years. After strewing other advantages the chairman <aid the work was going to provide employment tor a large number of the board - - employees, who unfortunatelv had to oe put off. In his opinion the construction the '.vaduct was a very necessarv proceeding.

The Hon. E. \V. Alison, in seconding the motion, said the engineer had <üb* nutted a scheme which he was *ure boTrd Th 1 T th a^roval <>f\he J he chairman's point re emplov- =■ e board = workmen was a mon important one. im

Mr. C. G. Macindoe said he ;h,t the work an "o? wie boaids tuture policy. .. T^ r ; L - W - lnde / move <l an amendment That the matter be referred m rh board in committee and that engineer be instructed m . * e prints and copies of L olue member." Thev wert» Hr t0 eatll large schem % . and a t-erv la?f e * of money. He did notwJhfo the work, but was of Yh t0 hold U P members should have a littl° Plni ° n lto consider the tmie »™« r ; decide on an Sxpendir d had t0 To do this in a few m OI £130 000 - i» mm wwW

Mr. Mackenzie: My attitude has always been to allow members to have the fullest information.

Mr. J. B. Johnston agreed that members should have a little more time to consider the revised scheme. He would also like to have a little more information. It should not be overlooked that there was an agitation for a harbour bridge. He understood that the new plans provided for a vehicular ferry lauding on the western reclamation. If that were so another £11.000 would hav® to be added to the approximate cost of £ 130.000.

Mr. Campbell Johnstone supported the resolution, and -aid the board should b® prepared to accept the engineer's schem?, especially seeing it embodied member®' suggestion?.

Mr. F. A. He 11aby also supported th« scheme, but expressed the opinion that there should be a detailed report Hp would be very sorry to see the water area filled ii^

Mr. T. Bloodworth incidentals mentioned that the scheme had been d ; = - c-ussed for the pa*t ~ix years To his knowledge. He hoped that delavinmatters lor another fortnight would not involve further delays.

At this stage the chaiman was criven permission to withdraw hi, motion, and on that proposed by Mr. Inder beinput it was carried unanimouslv. =