THE CANAL.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13376, 18 March 1909, Page 7

THE CANAL.

MEETING AT LINWOOD

A numerously attended meeting was held at tho Linwood Oddfellows' Hall last night, under tho auspices of the Christchurch Canal League. Tho Mayor of Christchurch (Mr C. Allison) pre-, sided, and suitably introduced the business of the meeting. Cr. H. H. Loughnan moved :—"That this meeting is of opinion that tho construction of a ship canal between the sea and Christchurch is essential to tho welfare of the city and districts adjoining."' The speaker dealt with the elements that had produced the present demand for a canal, and said that o. the outstanding factors, one was the separation of Christchurch front its shipping. There was, he said, a majority on the Harbour Board opposed to Gollan's Bay, and that, logically, left them with only one alternative — the canal. (Applause.) The speaker said that although until tlie report of tho Harbour Finance Committee was brought down, nothing very definite would be before them; still, he was inclined to accept the anticipition of Mr Cyrus Williams in regard to tho probable results of tho financial workings of the canal without reservation, as Mr Williams had proved himself capable of accurately gauging the growth of trade at the port. In his report, furnished, in 1905, Mr Williams had submitted estimates of tho probable expansion of the trade of Lvttelton Harbour up to 190U, and though his estimates were slightly under what had proved to be the case, he had gauged the results very closely indeed. Dr. Thacker, in seconding tho motion, quoted the opinion of Captain Arming, of tho lonic, that entering the Christchurch canal would be simplicity itself. The only way to prevent their trade from going to Timaru would be to have tho canal.

Dr. Russell ako spoke, after which the motion was put and carried unanimously. Mr John Jamicson, after vigorously supporting the project, moved : —"That this meeting affirms the principle that it is not advisablo to spend any large amount of capital on Lyttelton Harbour -until the question of construction of the canal has heeu more fully considered-, and that a branch of the Christchurch Canal League bo formed at Linwood, to he known as the Linwood branch." Mr W. W. Tanner seconded the motion, and said considerable preliminary legal difficulties would have to be overcome, but these could be swept away by the steady application of an intelligently directed public opinion. He thought a majority of the Harbour Board being opposed to the canal, should be called upon to <1° nothing in the direction of large expenditure upon harbour extension in the meantime, and that during the next xwo years they should bo very husy, in order to impress the Legislature with the necessity of permitting public opinion the opportunity of expressing itself at the election of local bodies such as the Harbour Board. Mr R. Cameron demonstrated the fact that water carriage was the cheapest of any form of transit. He quoted the experience of Melbourne, which was within two miles of a splendid port, and the expenditure in order to securo direct water connection, which had proved most profitable. The speaker, who illustrated his remarks with an interesting series of blackboard diagrams, contended that the cheapest and best route for the canal was along tho Canal Reserve, originally eet aside by the old pioneers. Mr Jamicson's motion was carried nem cor, and the proceedings concluded with votes of thanks to the chairman and the speakers.