Works Chairman’s Plans For City Projects In 1957

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28179, 18 January 1957, Page 9

Works Chairman’s Plans For City Projects In 1957

Work on the new’ terminal building at the Christchurch airport would, he hoped, besin this year, said Cr. A. R. Guthrey. the new* chairman of the City Council’s works committee, yesterday. Cr. Guthrey was outlining his proposals for the committee’s work in 1957. and said that efforts would be concentrated on the terminal building, the Colombo street overbridge, and the roading programme. He wanted to sec the air terminal building pushed ahead ouickly, Cr. Guthrey said, and possible tenderers had already been invited to seek preliminary information so that the time lac between callinc tenders and startling work might be cut. Architects’ drawings and working plans were complete, be said. And only structural engineering, heating and electrical reports were awaited. The Government had approved preliminary sketch plans and authorised the building of a 40.000 square foot structure, estimated to cost £lBO.OOO. but final plans for the building would provide about 49 non square feet costing about £200.000. Loan for Air Terminal

To hasten the financial arrangements. Cr. Guthrey has arranged that this month his committee wdll meet before the finance committee so that its proposals can be put before the latter committee, which can recommend the council to seek a loan for its half share of the cost of the terminal "The trouble in the past has been that neither the council nor the Government has taken the initiative.” Cr. Guthrey said. "The council has had to go cap in band to the Government to get things done, and the Government has waited for the council to make the moves. We should ask the Civil Avialion Administration to let us fpke the initiative in developing Harewmod." Cr. Guthrey also proposes that the Council should consider the appointment of a high-salaried airport manager. Such a person could be sent overseas to study airport management and return with an airport engineer w’ho could inspect Harewood before the new manager began planning. The first year would probably need to be spent in study, and within a year the terminal building would be started. At that stage there must be a competent man at the airport to co-ordinate the work of the council, the Civil Aviation Administration. the Ministry of Works, and users of the airport. A lot of revenue could be acquired from concessions, as was done in the United States, he said Overbridge Plans Of the Colombo street overbridge, Cr. Guthrey said that the consulting engineer was working on the plans. As much information as possible would be put

before the next meeting of the committee so that it could be passed on to the finance committee to set about raising the loan for the council’s share of the cost.

Cr. Guthrey said he was keeping in touch with the Railways Department. If there was any undue delay with the Government or the Local Government Loans Board, he planned to go to Wellington himself to speed things up. for he was anxious that the work bo commenced this year. Kerblng and Channelling

Commenting on the roading. kerbing and channelling programme. Cr. Guthrey said there was a fair sum to be spent and the committee was going to spend every penny it could find for the purpose. Letting out work to private contractors would accelerate the programme. He said that hr had plans for an incentive scheme for council workers. The margin allowed foremen was insufficient, he said, to make men really interested in promotion.

Of the works programme generally. Cr. Guthrey said: “I am keen to get things going. In the past the pace has been set mostly by technical people and local body and Government staff and executives. The City Council should set the pace and make those people come up to it."