WHAU CREEK BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20678, 25 September 1930, Page 15

WHAU CREEK BRIDGE.

ALLOCATION OF THE COST.

AN AGREEMENT REACHED.

HELENSVILLE AND MOUNT EDEN. CARRIAGEWAY TO BE WIDER. v.' Agreement as to the allocation of cost pf tho now bridgo over the Whau Creek was reached by representatives of tho local bodies concerned yesterday morning, when iho Whau Bridge Commission continued its fittings, the commissioner, Mr. E. Bold, presiding; When tho commission last sat the silting was adjourned to enable local authorities to further consider the proportion of cost they were askod to bear. After an informal discussion in committ tec tho representatives of the local bodies yestordav agreed to allocate the cost of the bridge on the following basis:—City Council, 45.5 per cent.; New Lynn Borough Council, 26; Waitcmata County Council, 12.5; Henderson Town Board, 7,5; Glen Eden Town Board, 5.5; Mount '.Albert Borough Council, 1.5; Mount Eden Borough Council, 1; Helensville Town I (Board, .5. Tho design of tho bridge' •which had been submitted was approved, jvith a recommendation that the structure should be amended to givo a 32ft. carnage•vviij' with two 7ft. footpaths, instead of n 30fi. road with two Bft, footpaths as originally designed. Mr. ,T. G. Haddow, representing the Kow Lynn Borough Council, stated that tho plans of the bridge had been forwarded to tho Marine Department and the Main Highways Board and although formal approval had not been received •from thein no objections were anticipated. [Tin* local bodies themselves had approved the design and there would bo no difficulty in Auckland on that score. "Unfortunately wc have not been able to; fix tho contribution from tho Mount Eden Borough Council and tho Helonsvillo Town Board, the two local bodies which were not represented at tho last sitting of tho /commission," continued Mr. Haddow. "It may be possible to arrive at a settlement of tho matter after a 10xninute discussion with the representatives of these bodies." The commissioner stated that he was quite willing to adjourn tho sitting if there; was a possibility of a settlement being reached. Position of Mount Eden. Tho Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. E. H. Potter, said that unfortunately tho Mount Eden Council was included in tho eastern group of contributing local bodies and yet it was not greatly interested in tho '! bridge. He could not understand why his council had been singled out, when the Onehunga Borough had been exempted./ There were other local bodies which could have been included in tho group when the commission was consider--v jng the allocation of tho eastern suburbs. [Mount Eden did not want to definitely oppose 'tho scheme, but considered that if it lnsd to con'tribute, its proportion should be small. Mr. Haddow said Mount Eden had been included by the commission which sat some years ago to fix tho maintenance cost of the bridge. The representative of the Helensville Town Board, Mr. A. G. Lowe, stated that bis hoard could not bear a contribution of 1.5 per cent, of the cost. There were only 217 ratepayers in the board's district and the percentage of car-owners was very small. A delegate reminded Mr. Lowe that Helensville enjoyed a direct motor-bos service. *' That is true," replied Mr. Lowo, ' but BO per cent, of tho traffic which is carried hy buses is for Parakai and the hot springs. That is why we consider the allocation unfair." Mr. Ct. P. Finlay, representing the jWaitemata County, said that Helensville's share would be only £B6. " Even so, that would add l-10th of a penny to the rates," replied Mr. Lowo. The commissioner withdrew for a-qnarter of an hour to allow discussion by the delegates.

Success of Deliberations. " We have gobe into tho question carefully and have come to an agreement among tho'bodies concerned," stated the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. George Baildon. when the commissioner returned. "Helensvillc will come in to tho extent of .5 per ,cetit. and Mount Eden to tho extent of 1 per cent." The Mayor added that in nccoalance villi a recommendation of the Main High■ways Board the delegates were of opinion that the width of the footpaths should be reduced from Bft. to 7ft. and the carriageway increased from 50ft. to 32ft. " I am very satisfied that the allocation of cost has been agreed to. as it was a subject' on which we could have spejit n very long time," remarked the commissioner, who asked delegates to a signed memorandum expresjjng their satisfaction with the plan an'<l the proposed alteration. The sitting of tho commission then closed.