HARBOUR BRIDGE PLAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21596, 14 September 1933, Page 11

HARBOUR BRIDGE PLAN

INQUIRY IN AUSTRALIA SUPPLIES OF MATERIALS RETURN OF MR. A. HARRIS On his return by the Wanganella yesterday from a visit to Australia, where he conducted inquiries in connection with the Auckland harbour bridge project, Mr. A. Harris, M.P. for Waitemata, said his mission had been fruitful and the result should be encouraging to the bridge promoters. He was- unable to divulge details concerning his visit until he had made a report to the directors of the Auckland Harbour Bridge .Company, Limited, at a meeting this morning. The mission to Australia was rendered necessary owing to the fact that inquiries from England indicated the probability of certain supplies being required from the Commonwealth. "My visit has beon extremely interesting," said Mr. Harris, "and has enabled me to gather a store of information which I feel will be of considerable assistance to the harbour bridgo project. Certain information was desired relative to possible supplies of material needed for the construction of the bridge, and the information I have been able to obtain will be embodied in my report to the Bridge Company." Mr. Harris said that during his abdirectors of the company had continued negotiations with London in connection with the proposal to obtain £1,500,000 to build the bridge. The latest information from London on that point, together with the results of his own mission to Australia, were very encouraging. One result of his inquiries was that the directors would now be in a position to reply in detail to many important questions which had arisen in connection with the London negotiations.

lleforring ■to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Mr. Harris said that while the revenue was insufficient to meet the interest charges on the cost of construction, that was entirely the result of the enormous cost of the bridge approaches. But for that, the present toll revenue would cover interest charges and administrative expenses. Notwithstanding the loss and the consequent charge upon the public revenues, no one could be found in Sydney who was not an enthusiastic bridge advocate. The bridge was undoubtedly a very real factor in the development of the city, especially the North Shore districts.