PORT CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25309, 8 October 1947, Page 8

PORT CHRISTCHURCH

Sir, —It takes a man with moral courage to talk again, in these days, of a Port Christchurch, .but, emboldened by Mr Steeds’ lead, I would like to remind those interested that I have still some plans left, bearing especially on what I consider to be an orthodox lay-out of proposed protecting moles. There is-.no hope or idea of trying to substitute one port for another; Lyttelton apparently stands for ever. But in f the interests of Christchurch this navigation should be attempted before major works at Lyttelton. The effect would be to relieve Lyttelton of the small fry. and give more room for overseas shipping, where it belongs. An enclosed address and a tuppenny stamp will produce the plan and description referred to.—Yours, etc., CHAS. D. MATSON.

October 2, 1947. Sir, —Edgar J. Steeds recalls the days when mariners crossed the Sumner bar and sailed up the Heathcote and Avon rivers to deliver their loads of timber, coal. etc. Then, most of the pioneers had unbounded faith in the future of Port Christchurch, as seen by the planning of the eastern part of the city. The main quay, Canal reserve, was to connect direct with the main west-bound streets. Experts decided there were no engineering difficulties present, and Port Christchurch would have been completed long ago only for the fact that Lyttelton was a safe, natural harbour, its only drawback then being its isolation from Christchurch. That drawback still exists, and is likely to continue. Perhaps the Port Christchurch plan was too ambitious, and perhaps some modified scheme, catering at first for smaller craft, would have had a better chance of success by proving itself gradually. Who knows?—Yours, etc., T.A.S. October 6, 1947.