THE HARBOUR BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 66, 19 March 1931, Page 23

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE.

The letter of Mr. Hislop, Mayor of Devonport, indicates his opposition to the erection of the above bridge, and, notwithstanding his denial many persons are convinced that his discrediting of the Harbour Bridge Company is an attempt to paralyse its efforts to establish a bridge. His suggestion that an elected board representing certain local bodies should be constituted to apply for a charter to empower them to negotiate with a bridge contracting company to build a bridge so that the interests of the people may be safeguarded, should be strongly opposed, as being a side issue to delay or prevent the construction of the bridge. If his suggestion is carried into effect the Bridge Association and Company will cease to exist, and their proposals for a bridge will be left to persons to finalise who may not be in sympathy with the project. The superseding of the functions of a company might mean that the ratepayers, through their local bodies or Bridge Board, would incur a liability similar to that of the ratepayers under the Auckland Transport Board. The ratepayers in the bridge district would be protected from such a liability if the bill proposed by the Bridge Company becomes law. The almost superhuman efforts of the Bridge Association and Bridge Company in bringing this important matter to it's present stage, should have the full commendation, support and sympathy of the public, and bogies such as "local body control" set up by Mr. Hislop should be met by strenuous opposition from bridge enthusiasts. RATEPAYER.