NEW WHAU BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20603, 30 June 1930, Page 10

NEW WHAU BRIDGE.

TASK FOR COMMISSION. OBJECTIONS TO THE DESIGN. STEPS TO ALLOCATE COST. It. is possible that the commission appointed by the Government to apportion the cost of the new Whau Bridge between the local bodies concerned will also be called upon to consider whether the design approved by the Main Highways Board is the most suitable one. Some of the. local bodies have objected to the increased cost of the bridge, which is stated to be due to restrictions imposed upon the design by the Auckland Harbour Board. The inquiry, which will be conducted by Mr. E. Bold, commissioner, will commence its sittings at the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. Following the announcement of Mr. Bold's appointment as commissioner, the New Lynn Borough Council requested that a postponement of the inquiry should be made, as it was considered that the order of reference was not sufficiently wide. Mr. Bold was empowered to inquire into the question of constructing a new traffic bridge and to allocate the cost payable by the eight local bodies concerned. It was thought that this would confine the commissioner's activities to an apportionment of the cost to bo borne by each body and that he would not be able to consider the wider question of what type of structure was merited. * However, Mr. Bold has communicated with the New Lynn Borough Council to the effect that he is of opinion that his powers are sufficiently wide for this purpose. Accordingly, it is the intention of the Borough Council to submit a cheaper proposal for consideration. Alternatively, it may bo suggested that the Harbour Board should bo cited as a party to the cost for the reason that it was at the board's request that the design was altered and the cost increased. It is doubtful whether the latter courso can be adopted. <• . The plans which have been approved by the Main Highways Board are the fourth which have been prepared by the engineers to the New Lynn Borough. The proposed bridge has been designed at an angle to comply with the requirements laid down by the Harbour Board, in viow of the possibility of a canal being constructed bet wen the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours. The plans provide for a 50ft. centre span with a 35ft. span on either side, mounted on mass, concrete piers.

As the controlling local body, the New Lynn Borough Council proposed the following allocation of the cost, which, for the plan submitted, is £13,000: —Auckland City Council, 40 per cent.; New Lynn Borough Council, 26 per cent.; Waitemata County Council, 11.5 per cent.; Glen Eden Town Board, 7 per cent,; Henderson Town Board, 11 per cent.; Mount Albert Borough Council, 2.5 per cent.; Mount Eden Borough Council, 1.5 per cent.; Helensville Town Board, 1.5 per cent. This allocation was based on traffic tallies taken at the bridge. Representatives of these local' bodies will be present at the inquiry and they will be prepared to give evidence if necessary. The Harbour Board will not bo directly represented, but its solicitor will watch the proceedings on its behalf.