PARNELL TUNNEL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 137, 10 June 1911, Page 8

PARNELL TUNNEL.

CHAMBEiR OF COMMERCE REGRETS.

. The decision of the Minister for Railways not to undertake the work of duplicating the Parnell tunnel was referred to at tbe meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon. Mr. Leo. Myers (the president; agreed that the decision was technically right in view of the fact that only seven of the ten citizens appointed by the Mayor to report on it, bad recommended that tbe work be carried out. The Prime Minister's promise was that the work would be done if all the ten citizens agreed that it was necessary.

Mr. G. L. Peacockc, one of tbe committee, agreed with the president, but considered that the Chamber should express its regret at the decision, seeing that a large majority of the committee had favoured the work, and also that the Auckland-Penrosc line duplication would lose much of its value owing tv the not being also -duplicated. Mr. Pcacocke stated that the evidence of ex-rahvay officials was to the effect that a time-table to meet a much larger traffic than the present one could be framed allowing for a single tunnel, but it was stated that in practice such time-table would, not be satisfactory, entailing an demont-of delay, and even of danger to life. Hi considered that the Hon. J. A. Millar's statement that the duplication of the tunnel'would prevent tbe expected increase o£ the goods sheds accommodation had had considerable weight with the minority of tlfc committee, and had prejudiced them to sonic extent against the duplication. The ' question of the diversion of the line round .the foreshore, to 'Remuera had also been considered, but the cost of the necessary land had weighed against it. In reply to a question, he stated that he would not give the names of the minority, as the committee had been selecled "by the Mayor, not the Government.

The Chamber moved, "That the Chamber, whilst recognising that the Minister's plea is warranted by the wording of Sir Joseph Ward's promise, regrets that the Governmtent caanot see its way to carry out the work, seeing that it was recommended by such a large majority of the committee." The motion was carried. Messrs. Upton and Macfarlane voted against the resolution on the ground that their own people had decided against the work, and they considered no more should be said about the matter.