Canterbury residents involved in port’s first open day activities

Press, 27 February 1980, Page 15

Canterbury residents involved in port’s first open day activities

The Lyttelton Harbour Board’s Open Day at the port this Sunday, March 2, will be a first in the history of Lyttelton and many varied events are planned for the public. The board had planned

a similar event for April 1979 but subsequently cancelled it because of the fuel crisis.

While some public parking will be provided — at some distance from the activities — visitors to the port are being encouraged to use public transport, including Christchurch Transport Board buses or the special passenger trains which will be operated by New Zealand Railways.

The object of the open day is to involve the residents of Canterbury in the activities of their own port by demonstrating the range of cargoes handled, the amenities utilised and the diverse skills involved, according to the board’s commercial manager (Mr J. B. Graham).

Of interest to visitors will be the container terminal where static dis-

plays will be mounted. If there is a container ship being worked at the Cashin Quay No. 3 berth at the time, visitors will gel a chance of seeing the portainer crane in operation.

Vessels in port at the time will be encouraged to “dress ship” for the occasion and it is hoped that representation will include the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Sumner Life Boat Institute.

Harbour board floating plant will be prominently displayed in action and the tug, Lyttelton 1, manned by Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society volunteers, will provide short harbour cruises.

Support for the project has come from a wide range of local and national organisations, several of which are mounting their own displays at the port. The New Zealand Police

Department hopes to show its dog team in action, demonstrate the skills of its face rescue team and p r o v i d e entertainment with the Police Band. The New Zealand Fire Service will show specialist units and equipment and a display of fire-fight-ing techniques may involve the harbour board tugs, Canterbury and Godley.

Crane rescue techniques and a demonstration of life saving drill are planned by the St John Ambulance Brigade, and the United States Antarctic Support Force hopes to display equipment and show films.

The New Zealand Army will mount static displays and may put on a band display and concert. Others supporting the event with displays of

equipment and materials include the Christchurch Road Transport Association, Andrews and Beaven, Ltd, New Zealand Railways, the Ministry of Transport Road Division, shipping companies, stevedoring organisations, the Customs Department, the Ministry of ' Agriculture and Fisheries, the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association and the Export Institute of New Zealand.

The Lyttelton Lions and Rotary clubs are organising a fair to raise funds for the St John Ambulance Association, and the Lyttelton Round Table chapter has volunteered to operate a mini-bus to transport visitors to and from the Timeball Station.

In addition, the new Lyttelton Historic Society Museum will be open to the public, having just had its grand opening Saturday last.

The Lyttelton Fishermen’s Association hopes to sell fresh fish - from boats moored at the low level breastworks. Local boat builders and ships’ chandlers will display, pleasure craft and equipment at the No. 7 transit shed.