BRIDGE OVER HARBOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20341, 23 August 1929, Page 12

BRIDGE OVER HARBOUR.

INQUIRY INTO PROJECT.

ARRANGEMENTS DISCUSSED.

PERSONNEL OF THE COMMISSION COSTS AND EXPERT EVIDENCE. [by TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL KErOTITER.] "WELLINGTON, Thurßday. Appreciation of tho Government's action in deciding to set up a commission to investigate tho Auckland Harbour bridgo project was expressed by a deputation from tho Bridgo Association, which waited on the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, to-day to discuss preliminary details. The representations mado will later bo considered by Cabinet, and it is hoped to announce tho personnel of the commission within a week.

Tho deputation suggested tho names of Mr. .Tustico Blair, as chairman, and Mr. J. W. Mawson, director of town planning, Mr. Ebenezer Allan, of Bucklatid, as Government representative,* and a technical officer of tho Public Works Department. Tho deputation, whilo urging that the personnel should bo announced at an early date, asked that the sittings should not commence until 'borings at selected points had boon taken, with a view to completing tho case tho Bridge Association intended to present. Tho deputation comprised Mr. R. H. Grovillo, president, Mr. Stanley Jones and Mr. F. E. Moore. Proposals for Borings. Mr. Greville said that, in view of the increase in tho grant from £SOO to £IOOO it would bo possible to take more completo borings. It was suggested a sum of £SOO should bo spent in borings in tho harbour bed along the line between tho western corner of St. Mary's Bay reclamation to the middle of Shoal Bay and slightly west of that lino. That would leave £SOO to bo spent on further investigation if tho locality pro\ed to be most suitable. The taking of borings would enable the association to place beforo the commission complete sets of estimates and figures. Tho Minister asked wljat view was held regarding tho Public Works Department being associated in tho boring work. Mr. F. W. Furkcrt, engineer-in-chief of the department, thought that possibly the Harbour Board or tho City Council would do tho borings, but Mr. Grevillo said that the Harbour Board was not prepared to act in that capacity, although a year ago it had expressed its willingness to do so.

Mr. Furkcrt: It might be if there was tacit consent as to tho site? Mr. Grevillo: Yes. Most of the members of that board, however, are not opposed to tho bridge and nine out of 35 members signed a pledge to support tho project. But the views of the board's technical advisers are not necessarily the same as those of tho members.

Question of Expert Evidence. Mr. Furkort thought soino constituted authority should bo associated with the boring work and with that view the Minister agreed. Mr. Grevillo said the association would be glad to have the cooperation of the district engineer o.£ tho Public Works Department. The association desired to present as much expert evidence as possible. Some statistical detail was being obtained in Canada and tho United States and it was possible one or two expert witnesses would be brought from Sydney. For that reason it was desired that the commission should not open its sittings, for, say, six weeks. The Minister of Health, Hon. A. J. Stall worthy, remarked that a fairly substantial expenditure would he incurred by bringing witnesses from abroad. Mr. Grevillo replied that tho association wanted to keep expenditure within reasonable bounds. It was understood the Government would pay the expenses of the commission.

The Minister thought, however, that it was intended that such an expense should be borne out of tho grant of £IOOO placed on tho estimates this year. Mr. Furkert added his opinion that the Government's undertaking to bear the cost of tho commission meant only the salaries and expenses of the commissioners and not all the incidentals. i

Although lie had'not understood that to bo the position Mr. Grevillo said tho great bulk of tho evidence would be voluntary.

An assurance was given that tho borings would be immediately proceeded with and would be completed in a month or six weeks according to the weather.