THE HARBOUR BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20641, 13 August 1930, Page 12

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE.

PRESIDENT RESIGNS.

A NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION.

PLANS TO ERECT STRUCTURE. TWO MILLION LOAN SCHEME. , Some plain speaking was indulged in last evening at a special meeting of the Auckland Harbour Bridge Association, which terminated in tho resignation ■> of tho president, Mr. R. 11. Greville, who has occupied the office for fclio last three years. Thero was a large attendance and Mr. Grovillo presided at tho outset. " As my conduct is being questioned this evening I ask that tho meeting appoint its chairman," said Mr. Greville, who suggested that for tho good of the cause they should settle their differences in committee. Mr. J. B. Tonar was elected chairman and ruled that as it was a general meeting the proceedings wore open. . In accordance with notice of motion, Mr. T. C. Pow moved: " That this meeting having lost all confidence in Mr. Greville, ho bo called upon to resign .immediately from his position as president of tho Auckland Harbour Bridge Association." Committee Favours Company.

An extensive review of the administration of tho association's affairs was presented by Mr. Pow in support of his motion. Ho claimed that whilo tho committee favoured tho formation of a company to build tho bridgo under tho toll sysLem, Mr. Grovillo was endeavouring independently to secure a charter from tho Government to bo put into effect under tho control of a few persons. Tho Minister of Marine, tho Hon. J. B. Donald, had approved of tho idea of a company, but as the result of a letter written by Mr. Greville, of which no copy could be produced, tho Minister had changed his front and advised that ho was sorry that some members of tho association were trying to form a small company. Details were outlined by Mr. Pow of an offer of finance through a London group. A Mr. Robinson had offered to arrange for £2,000,000 at 5 per cent, for a period of 40 to 50 years, subject to interest being guaranteed by tho State. Tho agont would stipulate nothing in writing. In conveying this offer to the Prime Minister, Mr. Greville of his own accord had suggested that tho bridgo would not pay its way for fivo yeai/is and that tho association considered that £60,000 should be provided, by tho Highways Board for five years. Mr. Donald had already told tho committee that no help could be looked for from tho Government.

Meetings With Minister. " Wo wish to have a president wholeheartedly interested in the project,"- said Mr. Pow.' It was felfc that tho president was not in accord with tho wishes of the committee and that-it could appoint a chairman moro helpful to bring tho project to finality. Seconding the motion," Mr. C, H. Wills said he did so with very groat regret. Mr. Grevillo had done a lot to forward the bridge movement. There was. a time when he had had their entire * goodwill, but ho was sorry to say that ho had now lost all the confidence of the committee. Details wcro given by Mr. Wills of meetings in Auckland with the Hon. J. B. Donald, who had expressed to Mr. Grevillo his opposition to a charter being given to a few people. Tho Minister held tho view that every member of tho association should have tho right to acquiro interests in the company. Mr. Wills said it was loarned casually from Mr. Robinson that the condition attached to the finding of the £2,000,000 was that his syndicate should build the bridge. The committee was flabbergasted and felt it had been made a fool of. Mr. Robinson stated that Mr. Grevillo knew of the condition, but he would not agree to anything in writing. The committee rejected Mr. Robinson's offer, feeling that he represented no definite syndicate. Mr. Greville was entirely opposed to the formation of the company and desired the acceptance of the offer of Mr. Robinson.

Mr. Greville's Reply. Describing himself a3 the "black sheep of the association," Mr. Grevillo said he had prepared a statement to present to the meeting, but unfortunately lie had dropped it, cither on the ferry-boat or in the street. The facts that had been presented were incorrect. He had been accused of blocking progress. If it was the desire of a majority of the association to form a company ho would resign on tho spot. He had the interests of the project too much at heart to retain office. It had to bo remembered, however, that the association represented all shades of opinion, and it was the president's most difficult job to keep tho owners of all those opinions pulling on tho oars together. It was only since the report of tho commission was published that any unfriendliness had doveloped between tho committee and himself. Tho committee, he felt, was venting its spito on him. Mr. Grevillo said that early in Juno ho • had written to the -Minister suggesting either a,.chartpc .or tho. formation of a company, and the Solicitor-General had forwarded an outline of tho legal position in both instances, '.The formation of a company, Mr. Grevillo contended, would wreck the association. Mr. Robinson had boon treated in a shocking manner. Ho had asked for nothing. The last proposal was that tenders should bo called from English firms and that tho lowest, providing it came from a reputablo concern, should, bo accepted. When advised of tho committee's decision Mr. Robinson ;was very annoyed and' expressed tho opinion that ho could block the scheme in London financial circles.. The Closure Applied. •Mr. 1 Donald had repeated that day that there was no'prospect of a small company securing authority to • build tho bridge. Tho proposal of the committee, Mr. Groville said, was to promote a company of £IOOO capital, which would jmako tho enterprise the laughing stock of Auckland.. Mr- Donald had said no company would bo granted a charter unvless it was certain that the company could accomplish, the work undertaken. •• As the three' speakers had occupied jnearly - hours,' Mr. Tonar applied tho closure and after reviewing what had been said,, put the motion, which was carred by 24 votes to 8. "I ain prepared to take defeat like a man, , bub I (may say'no man has done, mora for tho bridgo," said Mr. Groville. "Tho. question,is one more,of policy than lack of confidence."