THE ESTUARY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20090, 20 November 1930, Page 10

THE ESTUARY.

FUNDS FOR REPORT. art union suggested. The recent report on the Port Christchurch scheme by the Swedish englneef Professor P. G. Hornell, cost the Port Christchurcli League nothing more than his accommodation expenses. In order to way for a full report on the scheme from the Professor the Port Chnste.hureh League intends, if the Government grants permission, to organise all art union. This ,was decided on at last night's meeting of the executive of the League. Mr C S. McOully presided and others ■ present were Messrs It. Lovell-Smith, B. P. Crowther, C. D. Matson, R. B. Ootton, 8. W. Richardson, 11. 8. Mitchell, G. 1. Furnell, H. B. Lonsdale, G. T. Baker, T. Marker, and J. Longton (organiser). Tlie Commission's Report. Mr Longton said that the report of the Commission on Direct Access to the Sea was a disappointing one, for it contained 110 progressive suggestions. The recommendation - that the Lyttelton Harbour Board should take over control of the railway line from Christchurcli to Lyttelton had received no support from the public or the Press. Indeed, it had been summarily dismissed by the Board. The evidence tendered on behalf of the Estuary scheme had been treated with respect by the Commission. It was evident that the general public did not realise that the cost of handling goods from the wharf at Lyttelton to Christchurch was 9s 6d per ton. From the Estuary harbour the freight would bo from Bs <d to 8s S)d per ton. The Port Christchurcli League had accomplished its purpose in demonstrating that the tunnel road scheme was not feasible. Mr Philpott Crowther said that the capital cost at Lyttelton was the lowest of the big harbours in the Dominion, therefore there would be less to scrap if an Estuary harbour were established. It was decided to place oil record appreciation of the act-ion of the chairman and organiser in securing a report from Professor Hornell, and thus flo ing a valuable work for the League. Minister Favours Art Union. The organiser said that he had seen the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle) regarding the holding of an art union to raise funds to pay for a report from Professor Hornell on the scheme. The Minister had looked on the proposition With some favour, and had Suggested that the usual formal application should be made. Members spoke in favour of the proposition, and it was decided to proceed with the application to the Government for a permit. It was decided to ask local bodies to devote the balance of the money raised for the Access to the Sea Conimission, to the cost of obtaining a report from Professor Hornell.