THE CANAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15862, 27 February 1912, Page 8

THE CANAL.

TO TKB EDITOR,

Sir, —While thanking you for publishing my last letter in your valuable space, I beg to further encroach, and see if some opponent of the canal scheme will endeavour to justify the expenditure of a largo sum of money in making Lyttelton workable as a port for the advantage of our city. I suppose they feel so secure after the Commissioner’s report that they are able to smile at the efforts of those who are trying to promote the welfare of Christchurch, and it seems a pity to disturb those pleasant dreams of securitv; but the unrest which at present is agitating the world against vested interests is gradually increasing in this city, and people are already murmuring against the block whicli hinders the formation and early completion of the canal project to save Christchurch from natural decay. Our worthy Mayor tells us our rates will be doubled. Better that with good business than paying taxes for empty shops and houses. Ho is going to have a meeting of all the notables to consider what is to bo done for the safety of tho city after the Commissioners' bombshell. By the way, I should like the Mayor to state more fully what his views are on the subject, for I think he was elected on the Harbour Board to support tho canal, and the canalites worked very hard to secure his return. I cannot understand how keen business men could promise beforehand to stand oi fall by the report of the Commissioners, but probably they wero getting tired or the battle, and were prepared to ninke any sacrifice for rest and peace, rerlinps they are not so much to blame, as apathy seems to pervade the inhabitants of this city. Maybe it is the spirit of our lovely river (which runs so smoothly to the sea) which soothes us to slumber in a mantle of content and rest in strong contrast to the bra l ’' activity of a seaport city stimulated by the ‘wealth-giving spray of the ever restless ocean. Even now, while wr - ing, I feel tho subtle listless * oe .‘ l dg grasping my energies, and feel inclined to cry with the contented citizens here, “ It’s too much trouble to struggle, but I know this must not be, for it is

| death to our prosperity. Let us all throw off our lethargy and fight as warriors shoulder to shoulder against the giajits of railway extortion and vested interests, until we see our fair town take her place as the first city of New Zealand, which she can never do until her 6hips are allowed to be at her very door.—l am, etc., - T. SCOTT.