THE HARBOUR BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20391, 21 October 1929, Page 12

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE.

SCOPE OP THE INQUIRY.

TASK FOR COMMISSION.

SITE AND COST OF WORK.

METHODS OF RAISING MONEY.

The scope of tho inquiry to bo conducted in Auckland by tho Harbour Bridge Commission, which has been appointed by tho Government to investigate the proposal for tho construction of a bridge across tho Waiteinata, was announced by tho Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, on Saturday. The commission is asked to furnish its report within six months. The order of reference by which the commission will bo guided requires that consideration must bo given to tho pres-. put transit facilities across the harbour and an estimate set forth of future requirements, together with an outline of the best means of providing such requirements. Tho commission must take into consideration "tho adequacy, efficiency and suitability of tho existing transit facilities ,m view of the population and capital value of tho North Shore boroughs and adjacent Waitemata county areas, tho travelling population, the number of motor vehicles likely to require transport facilities across tho harbour, tho distances from the present ferry routes to tho bridgo sites suggested by tho Auckland Harbour Bridgo Association, or any other practicable site, tho probable passenger fares and times taken from the various termini by any proposed route to tho city compared with tho present ferry and vehicular charges and times, the liabilities of any proposed rating area, if rated, to cover tho whole or portion of tho cost of tho bridgo and its approaches, or alternatively, tho probable tolls chargcablo on thoso using tho bridge." Type of Bridge Required.

If Uio commission decides against the bridgo thou it is required to consider the period of time within which the probable growth of population and use of motor vehicles, together with other methods of transport, shall so increase the necessity for increased transit facilities across the harbour as to render the bridgo necessary. The commission is required to dctermino tho most suitable site at which the bridgo should cross the harbour, taking into consideration the present location of tho populations on each side of tho water, their probable growth, tho mam arterial highway system of tho metropolitan and adjacent areas, either now existing or likely to l)o adopted, and tho extent to which tho harbour is required for commercial or naval purposes or for aviation, bearing in mind tho future development of tho harbour. It is required to stato the type and general nature of tho bridgo which will bo tho most suitable, including minimum length of tho main spans, the height abovo high-water spring tide, tho width and tho loading; tho location, width and nature of tho approaches to the bridge and especially whether, in addition to the bridgo itself, causoways should be constructed interconnecting Bayswater, Northcoto and Stanley Point, or other portions of either shore, and tho land required for tho construction of tho approaches to bridgeheads; and finally, tho cost of tho bridgo on fho recommended site, together with tho costs of any other bridges which are investigated. Determining the Cost.

In arriving at the cost, tho compensation for the land required for the approaches, and for interference with rights, if any, injuriously affected, together with tho cost of preliminary borings and surveys, must be taken into consideration. If it is decidod that the bridge should bo financed by way of loans, tho commission is required to determine tho area which shall bo rated to provide the necessary funds, tho proportions in which the various local authorities within tho rating area should contribute, and tho proportion, if any, which should bo found by the Government.

If it is decided that tho bridge should lie financed by means of lolls, then the appropriate toils which should be charged the various classes of vehicles and other traffic must ho given; if by a lovy on the lands increased in value by the execution of the work, tho specific lands to bo levied should bo stated and the proportion of levy. If it is considered the bridge should bo built by a contracting company, receiving as consideration the right to collect tolls for a specific period on the understanding that at tho end of such period the bridgo is handed oyer free of encumbrances to tho controlling authority, then tho commission must state for what period and to which authority and under what special conditions tho arrangement Bhould apply. Tunnel As An Alternative.

It is further necessary to determine whether the construction and future control of the bridgo shall bo carried out by somo existing local authority, and if so which, or by a special local authority having rating or other special powers over tho proposed rating district, or by tho Government. The reference concludes: " Should the commission be of the opinion that the transit requirements of the 'district under consideration could bo equally as well, or bettor, served by means of a tunnel or tunnels, then all the questions recited above with regard to the bridgo shall mutatis and mutandis_ bo -answered with respect to tho tunnelling proposal, in so far as applicable: and gonerally any other matters arising out of the premises which may come under notice in' the icourso of inquiries, and which ifc is considered should bo investigated* in connection therewith," Prptest Against . Personnel.

A complaint regarding the personnel of the commission . was made to the' Minister by a large deputation on Saturday morning. Mr. R. H. Greville, president of the Harbour Bridge .Association, expressed disappointment that the Government had not scon its way to carry out the association's suggestion arid appoint Mr. Justice Blair us chairman._ It was further suggested that tho director -of, (own-planning, Mr. J. W. Mawspn, and Mr. G. W. Hutchison, public accountant, should be appointed. Mr. G. O'Hallorari, vice-prosidcht of the association, also spoke. _ f »•'- . ' In reply, the Minister said there had been no intpntion on .the part of tho Cabinet that the harbour interests on tho commission should over-ride tho others. The men appointed possessed wido experience, wcro perfectly competent to arrive at a wiso decision, and'it would be a mistake to fill tho commission with too many representatives of confiding interests. He promised, however, to convey the asosciation's protest to tho Cabinet,