AN AMBITIOUS PROPOSAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 13

AN AMBITIOUS PROPOSAL.

CHBISTCHURCH, September 1. A stupendous proposal was submitted tothe Harbour Board to-day by Mr Aitken, who wrote suggesting cutting a gap in the Port Hills from Lyttelton to the city, the gap to be half a mile wide at the topand a quarter of a nine at the bottom. This would afford space for half a dozen, railway lines and two good roods from, the port to the city, and the spoil taken out could be used for the reclamation work at the port and the making of breastworks. The writer suggested his scheme - because the difference of opinion regarding the canal would delay improved communication for years. The board dkt not regard the proposal very seriously. Mt Cyrus Williams presented some figures snowing the approximate expenditure which would be involved by givimgeffect to Mr Aitkea's proposal. " The estimate was based on the removal of a bill of 1200 ft two miles through st the base and tapering away to nothing. Thecutting would be, say, a quarter of a mile wide at the bottom. Mr Williams estimated that there would be 300,000,000 • cubic yards to remove, and it would cost £14,900.000. The total cost of excavating and depositing the fcpoil would be£20,000,000. The letter Mas received.