HARBOUR BRIDGE AT AUCKLAND

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27990, 9 June 1956, Page 8

HARBOUR BRIDGE AT AUCKLAND

“NO INTENTION TO DELAY” STATEMENT BY MR GOOSMAN (New Zealana Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 8. “On the Government's part there is no intention of delaying the construction of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, or of doing anything that would make ineffective tne operation of the bridge when it is completed,” said the Minister of Works (Mr W. S. Goosman). He was replying to criticism attributed to authorities interested in the building of the bridge, alleging that delays had occurred in the construction of the approaches. “On the Auckland side of the bridge the obligation of the bridge authority to present a correlated proposal in detail for constructing the approaches that would connect with the city street system (and that had the approval of the interested local authorities) has not been complied with, and any delay there has been merely related to the time it has taken in an endeavour to remedy the authority’s omissions,” said Mr Goosman. “The department’s solicitor is not prepared to recommend me to sign the documents submitted and has referred the matter to the Solicitor-General, who agrees with his opinion. “When details are forwarded to me dealing comprehensively with the method of treating the southern approach. and endorsed by the interested local bodies, I will be in the position to carry out my obligation under the act. It is as simnle as that. "On the northern side the position is not so far forward. At the instance of the North Shore authorities a change was made in connecting the bridge with the street system and consideration was given to taking the connexion clear of Queen street. “I obtained the National Roads Board agreement to allocate £623.000, the amount that was originallv estimated as being the cost of connecting the bridge northwards to the existing reading system, to a better proposal to link up with Gordon road. “Accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Works (Mr W. F. Young) I will be in Auckland early next week when this matter will be taken up with a view to having it settled,” Mr Goosman said.