HARBOUR BRIDGE AT AUCKLAND

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26870, 24 October 1952, Page 8

HARBOUR BRIDGE AT AUCKLAND

AUTHORITY ACCEPTS TENDER DORMAN LONG-CLEVELAND COMBINE (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 23. The Auckland Harbour Bridge Authority today formally accepted subject to certain reservations, the tender of the Dorman Long-Cleveland Bridge Combine (England) for the construction of the bridge across the Waitemata harbour. Previously the tender had been recommended for acceptance, and during negotiations on finance the validity of the tender was extended from August 30 to November 30, by which time the authority was expected to give a definite decision. This decision was made today when the authority dealt with a letter from its consulting engineeers, Messrs Freeman, Fox, and Partners (London). It was recalled that in London last July the chairman of the authority (Sir John Allum) said that, subject to agreement on certain reservations attached to the tender, and to the authority being able to raise the money for the work, the engineers’ recommendation of the tender would be accepted. Sir John Allum said today that that statement was made subject to confirmation by the authority. When it confirmed his action the authority formally placed the £4,500,000 contract with the Dorman Long-Cleveland Bridge Combine. “As soon as we have the formal approval of the Local Government Loans Board, the way will be open for the authority to raise the necessary money,” said Sir John Allum. “Later it will be required over a period of up to five years. Judging by our recent experience with the combined appeal for local body loan money, it appears that the amount that is to be spent here can be raised here. I feel, however, that every endeavour should be made to raise in London the amount neded to pay the contractors, who are domiciled in the United Kingdom.”