THE HARBOUR BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20302, 9 July 1929, Page 14

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE.

Sir, —In the two papers read the other evening by an architect and an engineer, I registered several impressions. I' rom the architect I learned that nothing need be ugly, whether it bo a ginger beer bottle, a house, a ship, a hand mirror, or a bridge! From the engineer I gathered that his chief view was whether his design functioned properly or not. He considered the problem almost entirely from the functional, utilitarian, business, scientific and purely engineering aspects. And, obviously, very rightly, too. But 1 also gathered, perhaps wrongly, that the aesthetic was not considered at all. Ho certainly showed us photos of several bridges which had been scientifically designed, and which most certainly had resulted in undeniably beautiful structuresBut he also demonstrated some which, though no doubt perfectly efficient in function and design, were certainly atrocious objects to gaze upon. One shuddered to think of having such abominations before one's eyes every day. And, if a bridge is created, well, there it is! It's up, and you cannot get away from it. If finance will not allow us to erect a bridge which is not only absolutely efficient in function and design, but is beautiful as well, then let tfs wait till finance will allow. We have a beautiful harbour and an ideal site for a beautiful city. Are wo going to permanently mar both by allowing a structure such as an ug'y bridge to straddle itself across the waters of the Waitemata and mock at us, except on the darkest of nights, and dominate us by its uncscapablo hideousness ? Let it be beautiful as well as useful, or let ns continue to go -without it. John* Citizen.