ACCESS TO SEA COMMISSION.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19928, 15 May 1930, Page 6

ACCESS TO SEA COMMISSION.

EXPERT WITNESSES. QUESTION OF EXPENSES RAISED A deputation consisting of Messrs C. S. McCully, R. B. Owen. J. Longton, and A. Philpott Crowther, representing the Port Christchurch League, waited on the Mayor (Mr J- K. Archer) yesterday relative to the payment of the expenses of expert witnesses called to give evidence before the Access to the Sea Commission. The deputation was taken in private. Afterwards Mr C. S. McCully told a representative of The Phess that the Mayor undertook to have enquiries made on the subject, and would communicate with the League later. Mr j. Lopgtcn, organiser for the League, said that when the .Commission was being discussed both t&e City Council and the Progress League had stipulated that its scope should not be confined to the tunnel road aspect of the question, but should include general questions relating to access to the sea. Since then the Commission had been appointed, and the date of its sittings fixed and the Port and City League had its case prepared. The Port Christchurch League had taken action late, and therefore had not much time to prepare its ease, and the point had arisen as to that League arrangine for evidence being given bv experts. Usually, commissions appointed by the Government were empowered to call for persons and papers and this involved the payment of expert expenses. In* the present case, however, the funds to meet the cost of the Commission were held bv the City Treasurer, and it was doubtful if the power existed to pay the expenses of expert witnesses. It was this point that .the Mayor intended, if- possible, to clear up. i