PORT CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12687, 8 July 1919, Page 5

PORT CHRISTCHURCH.

DEPUTATION TO CITY COUNCIL.

The agitation for reform of the city’s port facilities was advanced a stew last night, when a deputation from the Port Christchurch League waited on the City Council with a request for financial support with the object of getting expert engineering advice-

Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., who introduced the deputation, said that he was not a thick and. thin supporter of the scheme, because lie had not sufficient 1 expert knowledge of the problems involved, but ho would say this of_ the Port Christchurch scheme: that if_ it. was feasible it would prove an immeasurable boon to the city_ and province, and whether it was feasible or not the present position was absolutely intolerable. A rapidly-growing city like Christchurch and a province like Canterbury should not he dependent for its intake and output on a single narrow-gauge railway line running through an evil-smelling, dirty tunnel. This was an enormous handicap to the Commercial progress of the city, hut • the majority of the citizens did not seem to realise it. Of those who did recognise it, however, there were three sections, advocating Port Christchurch, an electrified line 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 knew their own minds. The Christchurch. City Council might do good work in trying to clear the matter up and concentrate public opinion on One scheme. If it cost the city £2OOO merely to prove that Port Christchurch was not feasible it would still he money well spent, for it would enable the city and province to concentrate on a practicable scheme of reform. Mr J. J. Graham said that he 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 was needless waste and expenditure through the tunnel being used. He cited ■wastage through oil being left standing in the railway yard- They had gone thoroughly into the question, and until Christchurch did something on the lines they stated the city would not progress. He had heard during the last two hours the Mayor had'a cargo of coal at Lyttelton, but the railways would not carry it. He hoped it was ’only an idle rumour. What they ■ wanted was financial assistance to get the most expert advice as to the feasibility of the scheme, the carrying out of which would bring them into the foremost position in New Zealand. Mr T. H. Harkor 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 league in securing plans and estimates, among them hein ,r those from Mr Samuel Jekyll, who sai3 that ho could give them a good harbour, not a makeshift one. for £(53,000- There was no doubt that if they had kept up their activities during the 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 by the council would he greatly approved by the 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 to do. with any money voted.

Mr Graham said that they would spend tiny money they received in order to gain expert advice. Councillor Armstrong asked what was the depth of the harbour shown on the ■PBSO 000 ? Mr Cyrus Williams to cost

Mr Barker said thirty feeb—and thev could go deeper, as it was onlv mud to go through. The depth of Lyttelton was twenty-eight feet, and the hard rocky bottom prevented further dredging-

Councillor E. E. Langley said Mr Cyrus Williams had bold him Lyttelton Harbour could bo increased to a depth of rorty 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 the deputation was in favour of the electrification of the tunnel.

A deputationist: Absolutely Mr Harker replied that if thev had a Government favourable to electrifying the tunnel it would make Lyttelton a splendid week-end resort, even if there was also a port of Christchurch. Councillor Flesher asked a direct question as to what the deputationists wanted to do.

Mr Graham said that Mr G. Scott, who_ was abroad, was making all inquiries, arid they were awaiting his return. They were n’ot in a position to say what they needed to pay for expert advice.

Councillor. Williams said he thought it ivould.be well if the league’s balancesheet were placed before the council, and then they could consider it. Mr H Lonsdale, the league treasurer, said what they desired to undertake was Propaganda work. The Mayor said that there was t'o ™ + ; nd + oll] y om thing they could do, and that was to* refer the matter to the finance Committee, to consider the fore 1 it GntS * easue Place beThis was agreed to.