BRIDGE ACROSS WAITEMATA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15660, 14 July 1914, Page 8

BRIDGE ACROSS WAITEMATA

THE SWANSON PROJECT.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.

The Government has appointed a commission to inquire into the proposal- to erect a bridge across tho Waitemata Harbour, near Swan«>n. The application for tho erection of the bridge camo from the Waitemata County Council. It was made to the Marino Department, and the latter referred it to the Auckland Harbour Board. The board, supporting the views of responsible officers, recommended that a reasonable height should bo left to permit of the navigation of launches and other small vessels. The Marine Department had been unable to come to a decision on the matter, with tho result that the commission has been set up.

" No," said the chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. J. H. Gunson, yesterday, when asked if the board was opposing tho application, " the board proposes to take no action. The board is not on its trial, and, other than the recommendation already sent to the Department, the board has nothing to say, or submit. The matter is one purely for the Department. The board has no quarrel with the Waitemata County Council, or with any other body, on this question, but in the interests of navigation it tendered its advice to the Department, whose business it was to have dealt with the question.

"This," continued the chairman, "is another instance of the evils of dual control. I havo no doubt the Department is doing the best possible, but I trust that, at an early date, the divided authority will cease. The Auckland Harbour Board is thoroughly representative of the people of Auckland, and as, the marine body, it is the proper tribunal to deal with local marine interests."