Confidence Expressed In Lyttelton’s Future

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29950, 11 October 1962, Page 19

Confidence Expressed In Lyttelton’s Future

Confidence m Lyttel-oa’s “dynamic” future was expressed by several speakers at a meeting of the Lyttelton Residents and Ratepayers’ Association in St. Saviour’s parish hall at Lyttelton. Nine candidates, six of whom are sitting members on the Lyttelton Borough Council. addressed a small audience.

The chairman of the town planning committee (Cr. W. Dodds said since December 1. 1959, 315 building permits amounting to £398.493 9s 6d had been approved in the borough, and this did not include the Lyttelton Harbour Board’s new port building. There was a new air of confidence in Lyttelton, he said and persons outside the borough were also taking notice of major changes such as the new road tunnel, harbour development scheme, and town planning projects, winch were giving the whole borough a facelift. Several councillors spoke of the rapid development of Corsair Bay as a scenic area Cans Bay's projected development as a housing area, which had been brought to the fore by the present council’s efforts, was also g ven as a major step forward.

The chairman of the finance committee < Cr. R. H.

Duff) said when the council took office three years ago it was faced with challenges on housing, administration of leases, reading and resealing, gas supply, and above all, water supply. Money had to be spent and would have to be spent, he said, and even if the council had found it necessary to increase rates 2d in the £ it was prepared to face the electors with honesty and confidence.

The Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr J. B. Collett) who has been elected unopposed, drew attention to an item in “The Press” in which the Deputy Mayor of Christchurch (Cr. H. P. Smith) had told an election meeting ait the Mairehau School of a proposal to ask local bodies surrounding Christchurch to contribute to the cost of city amenities which were shared by the whole metropolitan area.

The sum of £1 a person a year would Lighten the burden on the ratepayer, the item said.

Mr Collett said he did not agree with this. There was plenty to support in Lyttelton and he was quite sure there would be a considerable •esistance to this idea from Lyttelton citizens. The chairman of the meeting was Captain C. C. Gass.