TUNNEL ROAD AUTHORITY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27426, 12 August 1954, Page 10

TUNNEL ROAD AUTHORITY

Legislation To Be Sought SCHEME TO LEVY TOLLS The establishment of a Tunnel Road Authority, with Its constitution and powers fixed by legislation to be introduced next year, is envisaged in a resolution passed yesterday by the Tunnel Road Promotion Committee, which is representative of all Christchurch and Lyttelton local bodies and other interested organisations. The authority is to be empowered to “construct, maintain, manage and control the'tunnel road.” The proposed Road Bill will provide for a Government guarantee instead of rating powers. "We are relying for revenue solely on the goods and services the road will take/* said the chairman of the committee (Mu W. S. Mac Gibbon). Tolls would be charged “for a stated period.” The test of the resolution was as foljws:—

t) That to undertake and accomplish the construction of a tunnel road between the city of Christchurch and the borough and port of Lyttelton, there be constituted a Tunnel Road Authority, empowered: (a) to construct, maintain, manage, and control the tunnel road: (b) to borrow by way of special loan such sums as are necessary for the construction of the tunnel road; (c) to negotiate with the Government to secure similar contributions to those which have been granted in respect of like works in the Dominion; (d) for the purpose of paying costs, charges and expenses incurred by it, to fix and collect tolls for a stated period in respect of the use of the tunnel road; and (e) to do all such acts necessary or incidenental to the furtherance and completion of the project. “(2) That the cost of constructing, maintaining and operating the tunnel road, including the amount of all sinking funds, interest and other debt charges payable in respect of money borrowed by the authority shall be paid by the authority from money borrowed by it or from contributions received from revenue earned by it. from tolls charged in respect of the use of the tunnel, from other charges authorised by the empowering act, or from other receipts. “(3) That the necessary legislation b© drafted for presentation to Parliament at the earliest opportunity in 1955. J

(4) That a, deputation led by the Mayor of Christchurch and introduced by the member for Lyttelton. wait upori the Prime Minister, ' asking:— , (a) Tne introduction of the Tunnel Road Bill early in 1955; (b) for a Government guarantee in lieu of rating powers; and <c) for an opportunity for representatives of Canterbury to explain on the floor of the House the tunnel foad, project before the presentation of the bill.” Case to be Prepared

The executive of the committee was empowered to do all that was necessary to carry out the terms of the resolution. ’ The following were appointed a sub-committee to prepare the case for presentation to the Prime Minister (Mr Holland), the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.), Messrs Mac Gibbon. J Roy Smith. M. F. Foate A. B Edwardes, E. P. Wills, and R. A. Witbrock.

The organisations to be represented on the deputation are as follows: the Christchurch City Council, the LyttelRiccar *ton Borough Councils, the Heathcote. Waimairi, Paparua, Halswell. and Mount Herbert County Councils; the Harbour, Drainage, Fire Transport and Hospital Boards; the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, the Employers’ Association, the Manufacturers’ Association, the Automobile Association. the South Island Motor Union; the Federation of Labour, the Waterside Workers’. Labourers’. Drivers and Engineers’ Unions; and the Carriers’ and Customs House Agents’ Association. There had been a time when it was felt in the North Island that the project was purely a South Island or Canterseconded Mr Mac Gibbon’s motion. This ktPlut j ha< J . now changed, because North Island businessmen realised it was m their interests to have the most efficient means of transport for their supplies and to their markets. “The climate of opinion has definitely changed, he said.