5

H.—35

(d) If by contracting with any individual or company to construct the bridge, receiving as consideration therefor the right to collect tolls for a specific period, on the understanding that at the end of such period the bridge is handed over free of encumbrances to the controlling authority, then for what period, and to which authority, and under what special conditions : or (e) If partly by one of these methods, or partly by another, or by any other method, then which method or methods. (4) Whether the construction and future control of the bridge shall be carried out by some existing local authority, and if so which, or by a special local authority having rating or other special powers over the proposed rating district, or by the Government. (5) Should the Commission be of the opinion that the transit requirements of the district under consideration could be equally as well, or better, served by means of a tunnel or tunnels, than all the questions recited above with regard to the bridge shall, mutatis mutandis, be answered with respect to the tunnelling proposal, in so far as applicable. And generally to inquire into and report upon such other matters arising out of the premises as may come under your notice in the course of your inquiries, and which you consider should be investigated in connection therewith. SITTINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS. The Commission held its sittings for the hearing of evidence in the Chamber of Commerce Hall, Swanson Street, Auckland, where the proceedings were formally opened by the reading of the Commission on Thursday, 14th November, 1929. The various parties interested in the inquiry were represented as follows : — Mr. G. P. Finlay and Mr. R. P. Greville appeared for the Auckland Harbour Bridge Association (Incorporated). Mr. R. McVeagh appeared for the Auckland Harbour Board. Mr. E. H. Northcroft appeared for the Devonport Steam Ferry Co., Ltd. Mr. V. R. Meredith appeared for the Waitemata Bridge Inquiry Protection Association. Mr. J. Stanton appeared for the Auckland City Council. Mr. H. B. V. Richmond appeared for the Colonial Sugar-refining Co., Ltd. Mr. H. J. C. George appeared for the Northcote Borough Council. Mr. E. Aldridge (Mayor) represented the Birkenhead Borough Council. Mr. J. W. Williamson (Mayor) represented the Takapuna Borough Council. Mr. C. A. Cawkwell (County Clerk) represented the Waitemata County Council. Mr. J. W. Hayden (Chairman) represented the Waitemata Electric-power Board. Mr. W. H. Nagle represented the Mount Eden Borough Council. Mr. F. H. Powell represented the Auckland Automobile Association. Mr. N. G. Gribble (Secretary) represented the Waikato Waterways League. As the result of a general discussion on the opening day it appeared that the representatives of the Auckland Harbour Bridge Association were not prepared to proceed immediately with their evidence. It was therefore decided to defer the taking of evidence, and it was arranged that in the meantime the Commissioners should make inspections of the harbour and districts affected. In the course of their investigations the Commissioners, accompanied by representatives of the interested parties, made an examination by water on the Harbour Board's tug, inspecting possible bridgeheads and viewing suggested bridgesites. Subsequently the Commissioners spent two days upon an examination by motor of the North Shore boroughs, the Waitemata County, and the more remote northern area, visiting Stanley Point, Cheltenham Beach, Narrow Neck Beach, Duder's Point, Shoal Bay, Birkenhead, Northcote, Takapuna and Milford Beaches,