WAIMAKARIRI HARBOUR BOARD

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16850, 28 September 1922, Page 7

WAIMAKARIRI HARBOUR BOARD

PROTEST FROM SETTLERS. PREMIER APPROACHED. (Special to the et Star.”) WELLINGTON. September, 28. A large deputation of representative North Canterbury settlers made a strong protest to tbe Premier to-day against the proposal of the Waimakariri Harbour Board to construct a harbour at the mouth of the. river. It was represented that the project would be a failure, involving a waste of about £176,000. This was authorised in a local Bill last .session and a poll had been taken which approved of the loan. The deputation stated that the settlers in the northern district took little interest in Kaiapoi’s efforts to form a liarbonr. and they practically let the matter go by default. Now they realised their heavy liability, and wished the Government to relieve them. Air Massey suggested that the setit was evident from their presence during such difficult times, that they felt seriously on the subject. The Government did not interfere with the local bills committee, which comprised capable men who carefully considered all representations. But if something was proposed which would cause serious injustice the Government could look into it. and secure a report from a competent engineer. He. could not make any definite promise at the moment, but the AVaimakariri Harbour Board District and Empowering Bill was before the local bills committee. The bill referred to bv the Premier has not . been reported from the local committee. It seeks <to amend the schedule defining a harbour district, so that the deputation s ease could he raised on the present measure' by way of a request to exclude their district from the harbour area: