Watersiders And Their Palatial Hall

Chronicle (Levin), 23 September 1949, Page 5

Watersiders And Their Palatial Hall

WELLINGTON, SepL_22. Opposition TTieinbei'S; again cx'ificised tho proposal to spend £80,000 to bnibl a watersiders hall in Lytteltpp, whsu the interrupted secom| readihg debate on the Lyttelton HaPbour Board Lopn Bill was continued in the House of Re_ presentatives tonighfj .. Mr. AIcLagan said fhe. jMesent plans were those of the Lyttelton Harbour Board which had refused to niodify tliem although asked to the Cabinet building sub-coinjnittee. Mr McLqgan said no objeetion had been raised to granting a £60.000 permit for a cjnb in Hamilton. Alr McAlpine, a member and. former chairman of" the Lyttolton Harbour Board, said hd agree'd the Ooronatiop Hall at Lyttelton was appalling and ought to" be replaced :buf it ought vnot to be replaced with a'palace. It was uot reasonable with hundreds of homeless pco])le in Caril.erbury; that a steel and conerete palace should be erected. Alr Alooban said the Government 's action was wholly justifled. -The building was asked for by the Harbour Board itself. Mr Bolland said it, should be remenibered that New Zealand 's shipping t.um round was the slowest ip t{ie world and discontent was rife in almost ab major ports. Under the existing law tk? harbour board would have to go to the ratepavers to seek permission to raise an £80,000 loan. " We are taking away from the people the right to decide this issue by ballot, " he said. A[r Holland agreed that the present building was appalling and. Lyttelton watersiders were certainly entitled to far nt°rc amenities than they now possessed. _No one, however, could justify the spending of £80,000 on the proposed new' bnild ing when people were living in tents and caravans. The harbouy board d|d not have a chance in 10,000 of^having "a loan poll carried for sueh a building. Alr Holland added that half the amount of money now proposed seemed to hjni to be more than ample and jf he had his way the board should be allowed to build at present only the lower Hoor ot the proposed building.

Alr AlcCoinbs said 11.0 ontcry had been raised about the combined servrces club to cost £63,00^ in Hamiltqji. Alr Bmith: Returned servjcemen are. entitled to some privileges. ■ Mr MeCombs said the Lyttelton Borough Council could not agree to have a building put up in wood because oi the fire risk. He suggested it would bp reasonable for the Hpnse to pass -tke

Bill and tben for th'e' bpard to consitte'r what had been said on both sides :)t the House and if.-possible and desirable; to consider some mpdification of tl|.0 building. ■ " . -