LYTTELTON HARBOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 82

LYTTELTON HARBOUR.

SCHEME FOR IMPROVEMENT. CHRISTCHURCH. July 5. A recommendation by Mr C. J. R. Williams, engineer to the Lyttelton Harbour Board, that the board should obtain authority to raise a loan 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 W'harves .. 82,400 Travelling crane at dock 12,000 New dredge 120,000 Total £300,000 Mr Williams recommended obtaining legislative authority for the full amount of £300,000, because it w'as 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 the tonnage of vessels, and that the standard would be about 7000 tons. Prophecy is always uncertain, and that suggestion is not being borne out, as there is now and again a definite growth in the size of composite liners and cargo carriers. It is necessary, therefore, that the port authorities should be on the watch and make provision for such an increase in size. “With regard to £he installation of cranes aim capstans, the heavy cost of running ships to-day makes it imperative that they be loaded and unloaded with the greatest possible despatch, and thjs is reflected in the use made of the board’s cranes, so that I have no hesitation in recommending the equipment of all wharves with cranes and capstans. “I 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 in operation in America. Their experience will probably he of assistance to us if the board desires to obtain a new dredge.