BRITAIN'S CANALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 277, 31 December 1909, Page 2

BRITAIN'S CANALS.

UNIFICATION AND TRANSFORMATION. J ROYAL COMMISSION'S REPORT, ByCable.-Prcas Association.-Copyright London, December 20. ,™ 1 1 Commission appointed to 1908 to enquire into inland navigation in_ Great Britain recommends the appointment of a central waterway board, with a view to unifying and transformlag the existing canals and waterways in the Birmingham and South Staffordshire district into four main routcsthe Thames, Mersey, Severn, and Hum-ber-as the first step to any comprehensiye scheme; and suggests a combination of free grants and loans over a long period in connection with the issue of stock for the acquisition of properties. The report estimates the cost of improvements, excluding the cost of acquisition, at £17,500,000, and, after the whole capital expenditure is completed, an annual expenditure of £1,000,000. Mr. J. F. Remnant, a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. R C H Davison, C.E., and Mr. J. C. lugli's Ce' manager of the Great Western Railway Company, signed a dissentient report '

FOR CARRYING A DREADNOUGHT, THE POSSIBHJTYOF GOVERNMENT HELP, Received Deo. 30, 9.10 p.m. London, December 80, The Premier (Mr. H. H. Asqnith), on behalf of the Committee on Imperial Defence, informed the Waterways Commission that a canal for cam-in™ a Dreadnought from the Firth of Forth to the Clyde would be of some stratone value, but insufficient to justify considerable State expenditure. It 'would however, be worth while, if promoted as a commercial scheme, to offer some Government aid. The Commission suggests that if Scottish and shipping interests see 'a chance of raising the funds, they should ascertain what the Government Is prepared to give.