THE CANAL SCHEME

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13333, 27 January 1909, Page 8

THE CANAL SCHEME

MEETING AT ST. ALBANS

A public meeting, organised by the Canal League, was held in St. Matthew's Schoolroom, St. Albans, last night. The Mayor (Mr C. Alii-, n) presided, and thero was a good attendance of residents of St. Albans.

Tho Chairman, in opening, said that the Harbour Board at present was waiting for tho report of a conunittco set up in July last, and if that indicated tho policy of the Board, it would bi a long time before the necessary data could be procured to enable the special legislation to be drawn up, but there was no doubt that that legislation would in time get through tho House. (Applause). Mr G. W. Russell, M.P., in proposing tho first motion, 'That this meeting is of opinion that tho construction o: a ship canal between the sea and Christchurch is essential to the welfare of tho city and districts adjoining," said that "all the great cities of the world were directly connected with the sea. Melbourne was a good case in point. There a sum of no less than six millions of money had been expended in improving the river Yarra and converting it into what was practically a canal, arid further improvements and extensions wero now in contemplation. Mr Russell quoted figures, to show what had been spent by different New Zealand towns on harbour works, and referred to the progress the port of Timaru was making. He pointed out that tho harbour debt at Timaru was £380,000, while at Lyttelton tho gross debt was only £278,000, and the net debt £170,000. Much of tho present harbour works, such as stores, etc., could be removed to the other side a? the hill, but in any case, what hat. been spent at Lyttelton should not be allowed to bar tho future progress of Christchurch and Canterbury generally. (Hear, hear.) Ninety thousand votes on the Canal question could be polled within a radius of ten miles from Christchurch, and of that number 90 per cent, would be cast i-.t favour of the Canal. (Hear, hear). The present harbour facilities at Lyttelton would soon bo exhausted, and tho Harbour Board already proposed j to extend the wharf accommodation at tho port. Mr Russell then gave rea- | sons why tOie Gollan's Bay proposal did not meet with tho requirements of Christchurch and North Canterbury, and pointed out that the cost oif_ carrying out the proposal would be £700,000. Or. tho question of tho Canal he s.iid that personally, he was not in favour of the basin being at Hcathcoto; tho Canal should be brought right up to the city. (Applause). Mr Russell dealt at length with the financial aspect of the proposed Canal, and claimed that a modified scheme, quite large enough, however, for present purposes, could be completed at a cost of a round million, which could. be borrowed at 4 per cent, on the security of the city and suburban values, and a Tate of 2-3 d would bo sufficion'.. Ho did not believe, however, that there would be the slightest necessity to collect tho rate. If Christchurch only was to be affected, what right had Ashburton, or any other southern centre, to oppose the scheme. Tho scheme could only be adopted through the Harbour Board, and if that Board proved obdurate, then an agitation should be fostered for the election of the members of the Board on a population basis. CHear, hear.) If that were done the people would return a body of capable men who would soon settle the financial question. In conclusion, Mr Russell said that Sir Joseph Ward had recently assured him that the Government would not oppose any legislation bearing on the Canal scheme. Mr C. E. Salter, who seconded the motion, said that at the present time a majority of the people in the province were in favour of the Canal, and if only the people would enthusiastically support the project its success would be assured.

Mr J. Cameron, who had been connected with the Melbourne Harbour works, suggested that, instead of dredging the basin at Heathcote, the Canal should bo continued to the city. The cost would be the same, and tho convenience infinitely greater. . The motion was then put and carried unanimously.

Mr F. W. Hobb3, president of the Canterbury Employers' Association, tben moved:—"That this meeting affirms the principle that it is not advisable to spend any large amount of capital on Lyttelton Harbour until the question of constructing tho Canal has been more fully considered, and thpt a branch of tho Christchurch Canal Leaguo be formed at St. Albans for the purpose of obtaining members and subscriptions, and generally furthering the objects of the League. That the following gentlemen be the committee of the St. Albans branch of the Christchurch Canal League, with power to add to their number: —Messrs C. E. Salter, J. Colville, A. H. Hobbs, R. Fletcher, B. Moore, F. Colo, F. Lucas, G. Lucas, Anderson, Wood, A. Williams, F. H. Labatt ,T. W. Reese, H. Morgan, J. Hyde, and W. H. Gulliver." Mr Hobbs said that if the Canal scheme was feasible, as it undoubtedly was, then it was a waste of public money to spend anything further in harbour extensions at Lyttelton. Mr Hobbs explained the objects of the Canal League, and exhorted the people to make themselves fully acquainted with the proposals, so that they might vote intelligently on the question when the time came.

The motion was seconded by Mr A H. Hobbs and carried.