Road Limit Relaxation

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31982, 8 May 1969, Page 12

Road Limit Relaxation

The immediate preparation of submissions on the advantages of Lyttelton as a South Island container port to be presented to the Transport Commission and the National Ports Authority was approved by the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday. Members agreed with the chairman (Mr F. I. Sutton) that removal or extension of the 40-mile road cartage restriction was of prime importance.

The railway line between Christchurch and Picton was not particularly stable, and Could be put out of action at any tjme at the Clarence River Bridge or other places, Mr A. A. Macfarlane said. “To be absolutely dependent on our overseas cargo coming by rail from the North Island is a dangerous situation,” he said. An extension of the .imit to 70 miles would cover the area served by the port, Mr J. Brand said. The wheat silos could be serviced much better by road transport, but wheat only 45 miles from the port had to be handled several

times and be sent by rail. While container cargo was of great importance, bulk cargoes were of equal importance to the future of Lyttelton, said Mr G. Burns. If the rail restriction could be attacked the board would be making progress. Mr Sutton sought in his motion recommending the preparation of submissions to name the sub-committee to do the work.

Mr L. G. Amos, supported by Mr W. B. Laing and Captain A. R. Champion, objected that nominations should be made by the board. “That is what the board is for,” Mr Laing said. “You may have good intentions, but there has been a lot of this done—nominations from the chair. This should be decided by the board.” The board nominated Messrs Sutton, Brand, Macfarlane, R. G. Gerard, Sir George Manning, and Captain Champion to form the sub-commit-tee.