THE CANAL PROJECT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13131, 2 June 1908, Page 7

THE CANAL PROJECT.

THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS' REPORT. Rumour continues to be rife as to the nature of tho report received from Sir John Coode, Son and Matthews in. reference to th© proposed sehcrne for a ship canal to Christehurch, but all ofSciai sources of information are still scaled. A somewhat moro circumstantial statement is now afloat, confirnn- : ing the previous rumour in "Tlie Press"

that tho report is generally unfavourable to the canal project. It is said that the scheme for the construction of a canal having docks in the vicinity of Lancaster Park is not considered. The Harbour Board engineers estimate for a canol having docks in tliat locality was, roughly, ono and threequarter millions. The estimate of Sir ( John Coode, Son and) Matthews for a canal having docks in the vicinity of Hoatbcote- Bridge is understood to bo about two millions tho engineers being of opinion that it would bo necessary to faco tbe canal with * stone. Tlie Harbour Board's engineer, who did not provide for this, estimated the cost at £1,053.681. Tl I- £ il ...1..J.-.1 iL.i .!.„ 1

It is further stated- that the scheme, which is .strongly recommended by tlie e-minont firm of engineers consulted. by the Board, is the oonstructioii of a harbour at Goflons Bay, with several important alterations in tlie scheme outlined by Mr. Cyrus Williams, tho Board's engineer. They also recoanmend reclamation works in tho upper portion of Lyttelton Harbour. As before, wo publish these rumours with all reserve for wliut they are worth. They came to us, however, upon what seems to be fairly good authority.