THE PROGRESS OF CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14325, 10 April 1912, Page 2

THE PROGRESS OF CHRISTCHURCH.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS." Sir, —In my anxiety to .save your space I frequently leave items out. Then let mc now say that 1 do notadvocate constructing a canal to Christchurch. What I do advocate -s tho immediate electrification of tho Christchurch-Lyttelton Railway. I say, immediate, because you can get cheaper power at once from gas engines patented in Christchurch, thrin you can get from Lake Coleridge, which I understand will not be available for about five years, that being the time in which the tunnel will probably be completed. What will be the effect of electrification? You can send off small trains as soon as the trucks aro filled, instead of occupying the limited space in Lyttelton, in order to make a long train for the locomotive. Then if you divert the coal required for Christchurch by landing it at Heathcotc, as I have already pointed out can be effected at very small cost, .-.nd on profitable terms, that will cause coal sidings at Christchurch to be vacated and thus liberate space that is so much wanted there. It is expected that the Midland Railway may be working in five years. That will relieve the Cbristchurch railway station very much as all timber for stations beyond Christchurch will not come there.

With, our slow increase of trade, as prognosticated by the Canal Commissioners, it looks like as if we would need to spend very little money indeed. You surely do not advocate "spending money needlessly. Will you be gocxl enough to point out where I am wrong. —Yours, etc., JOSHUA LITTLE. April 9.