ELECTRIC TRAINS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 9

ELECTRIC TRAINS.

LYTTELTON TUNNEL OPENED. PREMIER'S PREDICTIONS. AUCKLAND MUST WAIT YEARS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) - - CHRISTOHURCH, Thursday. The first electric trains to carry pas-j eragera through the Christchurch-Ly t-j telton tunnel were run to-day, when the opening ceremony of the new electric •ervice was held. The official act of opening was performed by Mrs. W. B. Taverner, wife of the Minister of Railways, who severed a ■ilk ribbon with a pair of gold scissors presented to her "by the contractors, Messrs. Cory Wright and Salmon. After a short speech by Mr. Taverner the large official party of 900 persons and about 250 of the general public went by special trains to Lyttelton, where the Railways Department entertained the invited guests at afternoon tea. There were many speeches, the speakers including Mr. Taverner and the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward. Sir Joseph hinted at the possibility of a considerable development in the electrification of railways, but he made it clear that this would not come in the near future. Even such works as the electrification of the Wellington-Hutt line and the Auckland suburban lines might have to wait for several years. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates was among the speakers, and he was given a remarkable ovation when he rose to address the gathering. Unfortunately the electric- locomotive failed , on the. return journey, owing to a defect in the overhead gear in the tunnel, and two trains had to be battled -back by a steam locomotive, afid then In might to Christchnrch by steam, so that 1, the passengers once again had a taste-of the smoke and soot in the tunnel. *j. i : •._ *\ :" __ • • "