Strong support for Rangatira petition

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34111, 25 March 1976, Page 18

Strong support for Rangatira petition

Support for the petition to save the Rangatira has been overwhelming. The booth in Cathedral Square alone had collected 10,000 signatures, the Canterbury Progress League was told at its meeting last night. Members of the league have been given forms, and are canvassing for signatures. How many they have obtained is not yet known, but some of the members at the meeting sought extra forms. The president (Mr D. S. McKenzie) said it was nonsense

when thinking about a service such as that provided by the Rangatira to balance books against people’s needs. “If the Minister of Transport (Mr McLachlan), has his way, the Rangatira will be out,” said Mr McKenzie. “N.A.C. has had its wings clipped. Railcars are out. There’s only road transport to go. And when that’s gone — just the rail link is left. The i press gave up after it had i reported 28 derailments.” What would the Rangatira I be worth on the world f market? asked Mr McKenzie. ; It was well known that if a ship was not wanted for a • specific purpose it was not worth very much money, He

suggested about s3m would be all she would fetch, and that the Shipping Corporation should make an offer. In a discussion about the Christchurch Arts Centre, Mr P. Dunbar told the league that rents from the bodies using the centre would yield $50,000, and the budget was $60,000. Only $lO,OOO was re- ■ quired to “bridge the gap.” He also told the meeting I the strengthening of the building at the centre used by the Court Theatre had been [ only a fraction of the cost . estimated. i “The young engineers who i made the estimates had no : idea what they were doing,” > he said.