Disappointment in Buller

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32706, 8 September 1971, Page 1

Disappointment in Buller

Our Own Kcporter)

WESTPORT, September 7.

There is disappointment in Buller at the announcement that the committee of Government departmental officials favours use of the rail link atChristchurch and shipment through Lyttelton as the most economic transport alternative for West Oast exports.

The Mayor of Westport, and chairman of the Buller joint committee (Mr W. A. Craddock) said that the committee’s decision, especially relating to the handling of coal, was contrary to the over-all interests of the Coast.

He said that the joint committee, set up to deal with affairs vital to the development of Buller, would meet on Friday to consider a case for an alternative means of transport covering pulp, ilmenite sands and clay deposits as well as coal. The chairman of the Buller County Council (Mr N. Christiansen) said that until the information gained by the

experts was available for study he felt that there was doubt about the economics of a rail service, as the great majority of waggons taking West Coast products to Lyttelton would be returning empty.

Mr B. J. McEnaney (chairman of the Buller Chamber of Commerce) said that the West Coast was to be used as a vast quarry, its resources being plundered and benefits going to outsiders. “It now appears that Mr Sutton (chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board) had received an early and reliable account of the report,” he said.