HARBOUR BRIDGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22574, 12 November 1936, Page 15

HARBOUR BRIDGE

MOTORISTS' VIEWPOINT CONSTRUCTION FAVOURED QUESTION OF FINANCE NATIONAL UNDERTAKING III? attitudo of motorists tow,(ml the construction of the harbour bruise was discussed at some length at a meeting of the council, of the Automobile Association (Auckland) last night. It was recalled in the agenda paper that the association in 1928 placed on record its appreciation of the efforts of the Auckland Harbour Bridge Association to have a bridge built across the harbour and urged all motorists to support the association. Considerable encouragement and assistance had been given to the company that was formed until March 11 of this year, when a resolution was carried asking the Minister of Public Works to inquire into the position regarding the bridge and to take what steps lie deemed necessary to make possible the crossing of the harbour by car if the bridge company could not satisfy him that it was able to arrange for the construction of the bridge within a reasonable time. North Shore Car Traffic Any figures submitted in regard to tlii' number of vehicles crossing the harbour at present provided no guide as to the amount of traffic likely to cross the bridge, stated a report submitted by the clerical staff. At present many drivers refrained from crossing the harbour owing to dislike of the vehicular ferries, the high fares charged and the delay, however slight, occasioned in waiting for the ferry. The construction of the bridge would lead to an increase in traffic and an increase in North Shore population. The principle previously had been affirmed by the association, and it was pointed out that motorists should pay only for improvements to highways to make them suitable for motor traffic. Similarly, motorists should not pay for the bridge, but only for their fair share over and above the expenditure which properly should be undertaken by the State in order to give main highway access. The toll system was recognised as an antiquated method of collecting revenue. Tunnel Suggested " A bridge would be in the way of any great seaplane base in the upper harbour," said Mr. H. J. Butcher. " Auckland is likely to become the airways junction of the Pacific. For the cost of the bridge, a concrete highway could be constructed from Kaitaia to Bayswater." " We should have a tunnel, well out of the way of shipping and airways," said Mr. 0. Helming. The opinion that there was far too much borrowing for things that the community could not afford was voiced by Dr. J. Howard Lawrv. The association decided to reaffirm its previous view that the construction of the bridge was highly desirable, but that it should be regarded as a national and not a local matter.