BIRKENHEAD OPINION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 204, 29 August 1929, Page 8

BIRKENHEAD OPINION.

CHOOSE .SITE FIRST. STATEMENT REGRETTED. A brief but brisk discussion took place at the Birkenhead Borough Council last evening concerning aspects of the Auckland harbour bridge proposals. The Mayor, Mr. J. P. McPhail, introduced the matter and said: "You have no doubt noticed in the Press this last week several statements relating to the har-. bour bridge. While not anxious to create any discussion on the subject at the present time, I want to express regret that, the president of the Bridge Association should have made the public statement that his association would strenuously oppose any site selected further up the harbour than Northcote. Now, I think there is no doubt whatever about us all desiring a bridge, and it is rather a pity that the site question should be so prominently advocated. I have no objection to the president advocating whatever site/he or his association thinks best, but he need not go out of his way to denounce other sites. If, when the commission sits, this council sees fit to bring under its notice, say, a site at Birkenhead, only such information as it is thought will assist them to come •to a proper decision will be given and no attempt will be made to decry other sites. Personally, I regret that the president should have adopted the attitude he'has done in this connec-. tion and I hope the question of site will* be left entirely to the commission to decide after hearing expert evidence.", Mr. McPhail added that so far as: the; site controversy was concerned, he. emphatically concurred withA the view of the adjoining local body, the Auckland Harbour Board and the Press, that the proposed borings- should be deferred till a site had been selected by the commission. .

Mr. Jackson Kerruish strongly deprecated the local bodies on the North Shore raising any controversy with the Bridge Association. The association, which had to fight the Government, the Harbour Board. a~nd other interests, needed the solid backing of the northern side of the harbour. The president had given the Mayor an answer at the Bridge Committee meeting consistent with his recent utterances. • .

Mr. McPhail said a definite assurance had been given that the ,, question of site would not be raised when the deputation from the local bodies, went to Wellington three months ago. ® _ Mr. W. B. Darlow said they wanted to be united for a bridge over the harbour, whether it went at Shoal Bay, tfirkenhead, or any other location. Ho supported the Mayor's remarks.