LYTTELTON HARBOUR.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18970, 7 April 1927, Page 13

LYTTELTON HARBOUR.

MEETING OF BOARD. The Lyttelton Harbour Board met yesterday, when there were present: Mr W. J. Walter (chairman), Dr. H. T. J. Thacker, Captain H. Monro, Hon. Mr Moore, M.L.0., Messrs H. T. Armstrong, M.P., It. Galbraith, \V. T. Lester, M. J. Miller, F. Horrell, J. Storry W. K. McAlpine, and W. GGallagher. It was decided to offer to the North Canterbury Hospital Board a boiler feed-pump from the dredge Canterbury at £SO, half the cost of a new pump. It was decided to send a wreath -in connexion with the Anzac Day celebrations. The treasurer reported that since the last meeting and up to March 31st the. sum of £13,668 12s lOd (wharfage £6I2S 3s od, pilotage £2172 17s lid, port charges £I7OO 2s Gd, and berthage £l6lO 17s lid) had been paid into the Habour Fund Account as compared with £11,802 13s 5d in March of last year. Future Dredging. In accordance with notice given, Dr. Thacker moved: "That it be a recommendation to tho incoming Board that future dredging in Lyttelton bo done by electricity and pontoon, and carried to sea by fast lighters." In doing so, he said that he wanted the next Board to go into the question. If it were possible to use electricity, as suggested, it would obviate the necessity for purchasing a new dredge. It would also ensure dredging being carried out continuously and the spoil being taken out by lighters instead of by the dredge itself as at present. This was seconded by Mr R. Galbraith.

The Hon. Mr Moor© said that tinmotion should go forward as a recommendation to the incoming Board. It should not be the object of the. present Board to. dictate in any way to the incoming Board. It was eventually decided that the .incoming Board should investigate the advisability of getting dredging done by electricity. At Luncheon. Members of the Board, together with the staff and a number of invited guests, were entertained at luncheon by the retiring chairman (Mr W. J. Walter), when a number of toasts was honoured. In proposing the toast of "Our Trade, Commerce, and Finance," Mr W. K, McAlpine said that unfortunately the Dominion was at present undergoing a bad period, but he felt sure that there would soon be a revival or trade. The toast was replied to by Messrs C. P. Agar (chairman of the Chamber of Commerce) and J. Mac Gibbon (Bank of New Zealand). Both speakers urged that there should be a curtailment of expenditure until matters righted themselves. In proposing the toast of "The Harbour District," the -Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) said that the interests of the town and country were identical, and he deprecated the pernicious" practice adopted by same people of endeavouring to show that these interests were opposed. Those who responded were Messrs F. E. Sutton (Mayor of Lyttelton), R. Galbraith (Ashburton district), and F. Horrell (Ashley district). The toast of "The Future of the Port" was proposed by Mr P. R. Clirme (organiser of the Canterbury Progress League), who stated that the decision of the Government to electrify the Lyttelton tunnel would, he felt sure, result in a new era of prosperity being opened for the port. The removal or the smoke nuisance frbm the tunnel | would mean that a great number or I people now living on the Plains w0 " ld I shortly build residences on the hills i on the other side of Lyttelton. Those who responded were the Hon. Mr Moore, M.L.C., and Mr M. J. Miller. The toast of the Board's solicitors. Sinking Fund Commissioners, and auditor was proposed by Mr W. T. Lester and responded to by Messrs Geo. Harper and F. M. Warren. Other toasts honoured were Ihe Board's Staff," proposed by Mr Jas. Storry and responded to by Messrs C. J. R. Williams, C. H Chilborn. and P. W. Frver; "The Chairman," proposed by" Mr W. G. Gallagher, and •'"The Press."