THE CANAL

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13741, 24 May 1910, Page 8

THE CANAL

BILL TO BE PROMOTED.

A report was received from the Canal Committee at the meeting of the City Council last night recommending that in pursuance of tho request of tho Management Committee of the Christchurch Canal League, tho Council should take the necessary steps to introchico to the next session of Parliament a Bill to provide that the Lyttelton Harbour Board should consist of fifteen members, to bo eleced by the electors entitled to vote at the elections of members of the City. County, and Borouch Councils, in the Lytteltcn harbour district, which district should include the City of Christchurch, the. boroughs of Woolston, Sumner. New Brighton, Lyttelton. Kaiapo_i. and Rangiora, and tho counties of Sclwyn. Tawera, Akaroa. Mount Herbert, Wairewa. Waipara, and Waimairi, and the road'districts in the county of Ashley. The representation on the said Boa id to be in proportion to population. The. Governor-in-Council to be empowered to group contiguous districts together for tho election of members where necessary to make up the quota of electors required for the election of a member. The city solicitor 10 draft the Bill under tbe direction of the committee on the lines above indicated, and of the rough draft of the Bill approved by tho Management Committee of the Canal League. ' The Mayor said he would have wished that power should be given to the people to vote on the question as to whether the canal scheme should bo authorised or not, but he hoped that would vet be done. He moved tbat the report should be adopted. Cr Cooper said that the controlling authorities "of all the districts mentioned should have been consulted, and their a.pproval obtained, before the Bill was promoted. He would like to know who was going to pay for tho promotion of tho Bill, the districts mentioned or the Christchurch ratepayer. The Mayor: Tho Cliristehurch rateCr. Sorcnsen supported the adoption of the re.iyort. Cr. Morris agreed with Cr. Cooper that the outside bodies should be consulted and their wishes ascertained as to whether the proposed legislation should bo adopted. Cr. Gapes said that any dissatisfied district could object to the Bill when it was before the committee of the House. The Mayor said the cost of tbe Bill would be very small, and would probably not exceed £10. On the motion of Cr. Thacker it was decided to appoint Crs. Sorenso.n and Horslev to join with the Canal League delegates to visit Wellington when the Bill was before the House.