PORT OF LYTTELTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19372, 6 July 1926, Page 12

PORT OF LYTTELTON.

IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED. BOARD TO EXPEND £300,000.. [by telegraph.—press ASSOCIATION. 3 CHRISTCHURCH. Monday. The recommendations of Mr. C. J. B. Williams, engineer to-the Lyttelton Harbour Board, that the board Should obtain authority to raise a Joan of £300,000 to complete,the equipment at the port and to provide berthage and depth of water for the increasing size of vessels was adopted by the board to-day. Mr. Williams suggested that the loan should be spent in the following, way 'Additions to wharves, £85,600; cranes and capstans on wharves, £82,400; travelling crane at dock, £12,000; new dredge, £120,000. He recommended obtaining legislative authority for the full amount of £300,000 because it was not advisable to approach Parliament with loan bills each year. "With regard to the enlargement of our wharves," the report continued, "this is a natural consequence of the gradual increase in the size of vessels. In 1912 a Dominion. Royal Commission travelled through the British Dominions making inquiries in regard to harbour facilities and on its return made a report. In that report it was suggested that there would be a definite pause in the increase in tonnage of vessels and that the standard would be about 7000 tons. Prophecy ia always uncertain and that suggestion is not being borne out as there is now and again definite giowth in the size of composite liners and cargo carriers. It is necessary, therefore, that port authorities should be on the watch and make provision for such increase in size. , "With regard to the installation of cranes and capstans, the heavy cost of running" ships to-day makes it imperative that they be loaded and unloaded with the greatest possible despatch. This is reflected .in the use made of the board's cranes, so that I have no hesitation in recommending the equipment of all wharvss with cranes and capstans. 1 see no alternative than the acquisition of a larger dredge. . Four dredges of the character I have in mind have been constructed by the United States Government and are now iri operation in America. Their experience will probably he of assistance to us if the board desires to obtain a new dredge."