Canal At Linwood Was For Years Controversial Issue

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28979, 21 August 1959, Page 21

Canal At Linwood Was For Years Controversial Issue

After a controversy which raged for nearly 40 years, the Port of Christchurch scheme, involving the dredging of a channel through the Estuary, along the Canal reserve to Linwood, has for 30 years now been merely a historical possibility.

The canal scheme was argued for a long while until 1894 when the Harbour Board decided, by only a narrow majority, that it could not

see its way to expend any money on the necessary preliminary surveys. » Those who favoured a port within two miles of Cathedral square kept up the pressure and

in 1906 a report was presented by the engineer, the late Mr C, J. R. Williams. It was submitted to the best available advice in England and in January, 1907 Mr M. F. G. Wilson, a partner in the famous engineering firm of Coode, Son and Matthews, arrived to make an investigation on the spot. "Apart from the question of finance and general policy, the board would be well advised in adhering to Port Lyttelton for future harbour extension” was a sapient sentence in Mr Wilson's report. The board was equally divided on acceptance of the report.

Not Supported

“Majority” and “Minority” reports to the board followed and in 1911 Messrs F. Mitchelson, W. Ferguson, and J. E. Watson were appointed a commission to investigate the scheme. Their finding was that "a canal to give Christchurch direct access to the sea was not in the interests of the city and suburbs.” The war intervened soon afterwards, but the issue was revived in strength in 1920 when the Canterbury Progress League called a conference to discuss it. The view that the “inner harbour” or canal scheme was not within the range of practical politics was expressed at the conference.

The enthusiasts for it were not satisfied, but their voice was heard less frequently. The scheme is seldom mentioned now.