THE CANAL SCHEMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13483, 9 May 1907, Page 6

THE CANAL SCHEMES.

WHAU AND WAIKATO r PROJECTS. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER FOR MARINE. The plans of the proposed WaitemataManukau Canal were inspected at the Chamber of Commerce Rooms, yesterday, by the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Marine. There were present: Messrs. J. M. Mennie (representing, the Canal Promoters' Company-, J. B. Macfaria (member of the Auckland Harbour Board), N. Alfred Nathan (president of the Auckland Chamber of' ■ Commerce) T. Finlayson, W. J. W. Philson, R. Caldwell, C. V. Houghton, and D. Gouk. ' The plans were explained to the Minister by Mr. Mennie and the consulting engineer. Mi-. Mennie said that, on a careful estimate being made, it was ascertained that the total cost of the canal, including locks, bridges, etc., would not be more than £788,000. The present company had been formed, not for the purpose of constructing the canal,. but with the object of proving the practicability of the scheme, and ascertaining the cost. It was desired that the Government should assist in the- matter ,by facilitating the passage of a Bill to authorise the Harbour Board, or other body, to raise the necessary money for carrying out the work. In the event of the Harbour Board taking up the matter it would, no doubt, be necessary to, bring the Auckland and Manukau Harbours under the control of the one body. : ■- _v : \':./.' ~';'.' ',;_" ''■"': ?■■[. The engineer said that the estimate of £788,000 was an . outside one, and-, ho was satisfied that the cost would not - exceed that amount. The work was simply one of. the removal of earth, and it was one of the few engineering works that could be carried out without anxiety.■■■-..'■ • Mr. Finlayson referred to the project to construct a canal to connect the Manufcau Harbour at , Waiuku with the Waikato River. Tne Government, he said, had. surveyed part' of the route, but some further details were still required.. Mr. Millar said. that, both works wouldbe large ones, and they would have to consider, which .they would first carry out. They would probably require to find. a million for the canal at the Whau, though perhaps they would not require the whole of that sum. '■ • ■ .'■ 1 - '.''• Mr. Finlayson said that the Waikato canal project was a most important one, and it was one in which the Government was deeply interested; as it would tap a large area of fertile country in the Waikato and Waipa districts, to which there was at present no convenient means ,of access. He suggested that the Harbour Board might take up the '-Wh.au canal and the Government the Waikato scheme. The enhanced value of the lands to which he had referred would recoup the Government to a large extent, apart altogether from the fees. , Mr. Mennie, whilst agreeing" as to the importance of the Waikato canal," said that: the Whau project was the more important, as without it the full use of the Waikato canal could not be secured. , > " . .'. Mr. Millar, in replying, said that the question to be decided was which was the more important-of the two works. ' Speaking of the ; Whau „scheme, he said that before he would commit.himself he 'wished to get the whole plans before' the marine engineer; so that he might go through them. ' 'He must : compliment them on the trouble they had taken and the expense they had gone to.' That was the best proof that the Auckland people were in earnest in the matter, and were convinced of the practicability of the scheme. If the report of the marine engi-; neer was favourable, he would put the mat-, ter before Cabinet and see what could be done. Personally, he saw no objection to: a Bill being put through authorising the Harbour, Board to borrow money for the purpose. Then it would be a matter of £ d,' and the Board would then have to consider* ways and means. There would have to be another Bill bringing the-Manukau HarboUr under the jurisdiction of the Auckland Harbour Board. There could not be two bodies administering what was practically the same harbour. 1 >-••"' ■.. •'-,,. Mr. Finlayson asked whether the Government would take up the Waikato project if the Harbour Board undertook the other work. The Government would benefit greatly from the tolls, as well as the enhanced value of the lands. Mr. Mennie: The Minister for Railways might object to this proposition. ._ . ■~ Mr/ Finlayson: The railways only, reach one side of the river. ' "•'■■'' ■ '••. Mr. Millar said that he could not commit himself, but he thought Cabinet would approve of him saving that he would have the survey' of the Waikato route completed in order that they might get an estimate of the cost. "I will do anything possible to develop the country," he said in conclusion, "no matter whether it is in the North -or South." .',.."'.•'.',