WATERFRONT BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20391, 21 October 1929, Page 13

WATERFRONT BRIDGE.

CLAIMS OF BOATMEN.

GOVERNMENT GRANT OF £SOO. A GRATEFUL DEPUTATION. An unusual feature about a largo deputation that waited 011 the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, on Saturday morning was that it was there not to ask for something,but to return thanks for something received. The deputation was introduced by Mr. IT. 1?. Jenkins, M.P., who said it represented not only the boating fraternity* but also the citizens as a whole.

Mr. Jenkins said they had a plan prepared by Mr. F. W. Furkert of tho bridgo over tho new road across Hobson Bay to Orakei, showing a clearanco of lift, at mean tido and grades of not more than 1 in 20 on tho approaches. It was estimated by the Public Works Department that this would cost between £IOOO and £I2OO extra, and tho Lands Department had now offered to contribute £SOO toward the cost of tho alteration. The deputation wished to thank tho Minister for what ho had dono on this occasion. They had a wonderful harbour and he hoped that neither they nor their children would live to blame those guiding tho destinies of tho city to-day. Each year a portion of the spaco available for boats was being taken away until there was very little left. Tho area at St. Mary's Bay would not hold more than 350 boats, and launching people would require a place of their own within a few years. Thero was 100 acres at Hobson Bay only requiring tho bridgo raised to make it available. Tho Harbour Board offered only sft. clearance, but Mr. Furkert's plans showed that lift, could easily bo obtained. Tho deputation had como to thank the department for what it had dono for them. Mr. H. O. Wiles also thanked tho Minister for his influence in getting the sympathetic ear of tho Government. They ,wero also grateful to tho local bodies for their interest in tho mi.tter. Ho thought ■ that with this grant of £SOO they could now get at least a 10ft. clearance.

Mr. C. Falmer also stressed to the Minister the particular requirements of tho case, and said that a sft. .clearance would be most dangerous and would certainly cause loss of life.

The Minister said they appeared to have got over their chief difficulties and tho main point now was to obtain agreement from tho local bodies.