MANUKAU CONTROL BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 134, 7 June 1911, Page 8

MANUKAU CONTROL BILL.

PROVISION FOR CAIfAL WORK. At the meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday afternoon Mr. J. S. Bond moved the following resolution in accordance with notice of motion: "That the' question of the advisability of embodying in the Manukau Control Jill, now being drafted by the Board's solicitors, an empowering clause giving this Board authority to acquire the necessary land for the construction of a canal between the Waitemata Harbour and the Manukau Harbour and Waikato River via Waiukn, be referred to the Legal and Finance Committee with power to instruct the Board's solicitors in the matter." The mover explained that as the bill in question was being drafted by the Board's solicitors, he considered the time tune to make provision in it for possible contingencies. The motion did not commit the Board to any definite policy or action, but merely made provision for getting the question in trim. Mr. Bagley seconded pro forma, but said he would like to know what was in the bill and what was out of it before expressing any definite opinion. Mr. Alison was of opinion that the motion opened up a very big question, and it was one that should not be dealt with until the whole matter had received the fullest consideration by the whole Board. He suggested therefore that the motion should be so altered that the committee, after conference with the solicitors and engineer, report to the Board.

The mover and seconder agreed to the alteration. Mr. Taylor' suggested that in addition to provision for acquiring land for the canals, there should be inserted a clause giving the right to make boat railways. He believed it to be quite impracticable make a canal across the Whau Isthmus, for instance s but that it would be quite practicable to make a boat canal. Such railways were in use in America and Japan, where small- craft were raised as high as 150 ft, and he believed a similar railway across the Whau Isthmus would best serve all interests. The motion as amended was adopted.