PORT CHRISTCHURCH

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18143, 8 July 1919, Page 5

PORT CHRISTCHURCH

DEPUTATION TO CITY COUNCIL,

MR L. M. ISITT, M.P., SUPPORTS

INQUIRY.

The agitation for reform of the city s port facilities was advanced aster, last night, when a deputation from the Port Christchurch League waited on the City Council with a request for financial support with tlie object of getting export engineering adviceMr L. M. Isitt, M.P., who introduced tho deputation, said that he was nol a thick and thin supporter of .the scheme, because he had not summon expert knowledge of the problems involved, but bo would say tins of. the Port Christchurch scheme: tliao it. -J was feasible it would prove an n - measurable lfcon to the city and pi - vince, and whether it was feasible o not the present position was absolute Y intolerable. A rapidly-growing cl 1 y like Christchurch and a province like Canterbury should not ho dependent i'or its intake and output on a singo narrow-gauge railway lino runmn„ through an evil-smelling, dirty tunn - This was an enormous handicap to ti commercial progress of tho city, on the majority of the citizens did no seem to realise it. Of those who i recognise it, however, there were throe sections, advocating Port Christchurcl, an electrified lino and a tunnel roadWhile they existed the Government would play one section against another, at the same time giving assistance and grants to the cities whose citizens know their own minds. Tho Christchurch City Council might do good work in trying to clear the matter up and concentrate public opinion on 'ono scheme. If it cost tho citv £2OOO merely to prove that Port Christchurch was not feasible it would still bo money well spent, for it would enable the city and province to concentrate on a practicable scheme of reform. Air J. J. Graham said that lie was satisfied that the Port Christchurch scheme was practicable and an urgent necessity, for Lyttelton could not be deepened to take the larger boats. There wap needless waste and expenditure through the tunnel being used. Ho cited wastage through oil being left standing in the railway yard- They had gone thoroughly into tho question, and until Christchurch did something on the lines they stated the citv would not progress. He bad heard during the last two hours tho Mayor had a cargo of coal at Lyttelton, hut the railways would not carry it. Ho honed it was billy an idle rumour. What they wanted was financial assistance to get tho most expert advice as to the feasibility of the scheme, tho carrying out of which would bring them into the foremost position in New Zealand. Air T. H. Marker said that the agitation they had been carrying on had been the means of gaining many reductions in the railway tariff. He cited the activities of the leaguo in securing plans and estimates, among them being those from Mr Samuel Jekyll, who said that he could give them a good harbour, not a makeshift one, for £753,000- There was no doubt that it they had kept up their activities during tho war, instead of there being- 'on the Harbour Board a tie" of seven-seven the position would have been nine to five, the nine being favourable to the scheme He contended that the league had received a mandate from the people. A vote of a few hundred pounds passed hv the council would he greatly approved by tho general public. The council need have no fear on that point. Councillor Agar said what he would like to hear from the deputation was what they intended t’o do with any money voted.

Mr Graham said that they would spend any money thev received in order to gain expert advice.

Councillor Armstrong asked whnt was the depth of the harbour’ shown on tho plan of Mr Cyrus Williams to cost £BSO TOO? Mr Barker said thirty feet —and they could go deeper, as it was onlv mud to go through. Tho depth of Lvttelton was twenty-eight feet, and tho hard rocky bottom prevented further dredging.

Councillor E. E. Langley said Mr Cyrus \\ illiams had told him Lyttelton Harbour could be increased to a depth of forty feet at a cost of £200.000. Mr Graham said that Mr Williams must have found an easier and more convenient system of Working since they had interviewed him.

Councillor Herbert asked if tho deputation was in favour of tho electrification of the tunnel.

A denufationist : Absolutely Mr Hnrkcr ran lied that if they had a Government favourable to clectrifvmg the tunnel it would make Lvttelton a splendid week-end report, even if there was also.a port of Christchurch. Councillor Fle«her asked a direct question as to what tlio deputationists wanted to do-

Mr Graham said that Mr O. ,<Vott who was abroad, was making all inquiries. and thev were, awaiting his return. They were n'-’t in a position to snv what they needed to pav for expert advice.

. Councillor Williams said he thought it would be well if the league’s balancesheet were placed before tho council, and than they eon id consider it. Mr 11. Lonsdale, the league treasurer, said what they desired to undertake was. propaganda work. The Mayor said that there was to his mind only one thing thev could do and that was to refer tho' matter (A the I' lnance Committee, to consider the documents the league would piaco before it. This was agreed to.