CHRISTCHURCH CANAL SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 141, 13 June 1908, Page 9

CHRISTCHURCH CANAL SCHEME.

] ißy Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board. Mr. G. Laurenson, M.P., mads clear his attitude towards the canal pro posal in the course of a reply he gave to a question asked by one of his con stituents at Woolston, where he gave a presessional speech. Asked if he was in favour of the canal, he said that if the eminent firm of engineers who had reported on the proposed harbour extension had stated that the canal could be constructed to Heathcote for a reasonable price, and had recommended its construction in preference to an extension at Lyttelton, he believed that his duty to the public would have compelled him to vote for the canal. He then recapitulated the salient points of the report. His questioner said: '-Would you sup'poit it or not!" He replied: "Would you ask mc to support it in face of that report ?' One of the audience interjected "An un fair question. "Well." said Mr. Laurerson. "I will answer the question. I wouM not support it after that report.' . His statement was received with applause. In further remarks he asked what sort of public body would the Harbour Board be if. after paying £300 for a report, it should go on in the face of it. The Board dare not do it; as trustees of the public it could not do it.