THE PARNELL TUNNEL.

Dirt, Discomfort and Danger.

When the question of duplicating the Auckland-Penrose suburban railway section was under consideration, extreme pressure was brought to bear on the Prime Minister (then Minister for Railways) by various deputations, who urged the duplication of the Parnell tunneft as a means of- remedying the present delay, discomfort and danger caused by the inadequacy o£ a single line of rails between the North end . of the tunnel and Newmarket. The Prime Minister at that time scouted the possibility of danger, and swept aside the delay portion of the business, as Ms officers . assured him that a duplication ol the line over this section was not essential to the prompt carrying of all traffic offering- He, however, stated Ms willingness to proceed with the work of duplication if ten representative men appointed by the Mayor of Auckland, after traversing the section with the Minister for Railways, decided that the duplication was necessary. At the time it was recognised that to leave the question of duplication of a railway, or the construction of any public worii, to a bunch of laymen was a doubtful expediency, ami nothing was done till the 1 duplication from Newmarket to Penrase was completed: ■ Now Ct. Mackay, of : the Auckland City Council, has resurrected the matter, and Grey, the Mayor of the city of much rain, will select ten citizens to meet the Minister ami practically direct that the tunnel be duplicated. The decision of this irresponsible committee will be assured before it is formed and unfortunately the Prime Minister was; so definite m his statement, that be is. bound, m honor to give effect to their' recommendation. The work is- necessary, but "Truth" objects to the manner' m which the convenience is- to be brought aboui. No railway officer with any knowledge of his business will assert! that present arrangements are satisfactory, and the Engineer-in-Chtef would v immediately say that the duplication is. required, and on the recommendation of such officials the Minister for Railways should undertake the work and. avoid the gross indignity of practically being ordered to do it by a bunch of ircesuongibles selected by the Auckland City Council and Chamber ol Commerce. . ■'... ; ... :, -