HARBOUR EXTENSION AT LYTTELTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13049, 14 December 1905, Page 6

HARBOUR EXTENSION AT LYTTELTON.

CANAL PROPOSALS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] . Christchurch. 'Wednesday. At a meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour Board this afternoon, a lengthy report, was presented by Mr. Cyrus J, Williams, the Board's engineer, on the subject of further harbour extensions, and on the feasibility of constructing a canal from the sea to\r'. Christchurch. The report contains two alternative propositions for harbour extensions at Lytt'elton, .both capable of .' eing worked through tho Moorliouso tunnel, and two propositions for a canal from the sea towards Christchurch. The first of tho harbour extension propositions provides for a small additional harbour named in the report, " Striking Point Harbour," in connection with the reclaimed land eastward of Officers' Point. Tho estimated cost was £275,000. The second proposition provides lor a completely new harbour ait Golla'.As Bay, with the necessary reclamation to cor ncct it with the present railway system. The estimated cost. would be £669,000 in round. numbers. Tho first of the canal pro-positions-provides for a tidal basin formed in the estuary near the mouth of the Healthcote River, connected to the sea by means of an open cutting 30ft deep at low water spring tides, opening into the sea just outside Sumner Heads, in five fathoms at low' water of spring tides. The total estimated cost of this proposition is put at £1,153,684,. but this might be reduced by £200,000 if. only 50 acres of tidail basin were for the pre-,, sent excavated. The second canal proposition provides for a tidal basin or port just below Wilson's Road, opposite the Linwood railway station. The total estimated cost of construction i 5.£1,743.392, which includes ai sum of £379,528 for the resumption of 358 acres of land. The total cost for the first instalment of the work to bring the scheme into working order is put at £1,532,864. The Board decided to defer consideration of the report until after the annual meeting, to be held next February.