SYDNEY BRIDGE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11740, 30 January 1924, Page 6

SYDNEY BRIDGE

LOG-ROLLING ALLEGED EFFORTS TO SECURE AUSTRALIAN TENDER. FULLER,SPEAKS STRONGLY. Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. SYDNEY, January 29. It is freely stated that there has been considerable log-rolling in connection with tenders for the harbour bridge. Persistent efforts are still being made to induce the Hon. Richard Ball. Minister for Public Works, and members of the Government Party, to accept the Australian tender, irrespective of other conditions. It is stated that even if the Australian tender accepted be in name only, there is a strong likelihood of the Australian Syndicate transferring the contract to an outside firm after deducting a slice of the expenditure for its efforts. Sir George Fuller, the Premier, referring to the matter, stated that the Government would adhere to its promise made when inviting tenders. All tenderers understood the conditions be-, fore submitting their quotes, and it would be a wicked thing to think of accepting any tender on any other terms than those' submitted when the tenders closed. Six large engineering firms tendered for the proposed North Shore bridge across an arm of Sydney harbour. The. tenderers represented England, Canada, America, and Australia. These firms submitted twenty separate tenders, eleven being of the cantilever type, seven of the arch type, and two of the inverted arch type. Sir William Arrol and Co.’s tender was accepted by the Government last week, the total estimate of the cost being in the vicinity of £8,000,000, which does not include an amount of £500,000 for land resumption. The English firm of Sir William Arro] constructed the Tay bridge and the famous Firth of Forth bridge, as well as having constructed bridges of all sizes in various parts of the world. On July 28th, 1923, the first sod was turned in the commencement of the work on the approaches to the bridge on the northern side of the harbour, on whioh occasion Sir George Fuller stated that under normal conditions the bridge should be finished within seven years. During the course of his speech at the time he said that he remembered Sir Henry’ Parkee inviting the people of North Sydney to stand by his side and build the bridge.