THE HARBOUR BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 14

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE.

Sir,—'"Pro Bridge," who adversely criticises the plans of the Bridge Association, displays an insufficient knowledge of the facts. "Neither he nor the Harbour Board officials can bring forward unassailable statements to prove that a bridge on the site proposed by the association will "offer an obstacle to port developments." There are men on both the Harbour Board and the Bridge Association who are just as capable of determining the suitability of the site as are the officials, and do not agree with the opinions expressed by them. ''Pro Bridge" is not sufficiently well acquainted with the plans and estimates of two competent engineers to say anything about the cost of the structure. To him it may "seem impossible to estimate with any degree of accuracy the cost of this proposed bridge, when nothing is known as to t!he harbour bed." If he knows nothing as to the harbour bed, there are competent and experienced men in Auckland who know a great deal about it, and consequently can estimate with close accuracy the cost of the bridge below water line. The officials would find it exceedingly difficult to produce facts to prove their opinion that 150 ft. clearance "should be a minimum." The only ship that for a long time has gone about the proposed site Has masts 68ft. high. The executive committee of the Bridge Association must be very pleased to see that "Pro Bridge" compliments them on their energy and admits their contention that the bridge would "be a tremendous asset to the citv . and province." This is precisely what they wish to drive homo to everybody with all the force and emphasis of which they aro capable, that the bridge is for the benefit not solely of the North Shore, but also of the city. The lamentable fact is thz.t the city remains indifferent to this "tremendous asset." This indifference is explainable only on the supposition that the city has not made itself acquainted with the facta. G.E.L.