LYTTELTON TUNNEL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17807, 5 July 1923, Page 13

LYTTELTON TUNNEL.

PROPOSED ELECTRIFICATION. MR E. PARRY'S VIEWS. A letter from Mr E. Parry, of the English Electric Company,, Ltd., relative to the electrification of the Lyttelton tunnel, was read at the meeting of the executive committee of the Canterbury Progress League last night. Mr Parry stated: ''l regret that it is impossible for mo to attend the meeting of the executive on Wednesday next, July 4th, but would appreciate an opportunity of meeting them later on towards the end of the month. There is not much to add to what I said in my previous' letter in regard to the principles involved, except that 1 nugiiD point out that in the case of .byttelton, two elements are present either of which constitutes a tion for electrification, viz., a terminal without room for expansion, and a long tunner. It is well Known that some suburban railways have been electrified in the past solely on tne ground of terminal restrictions, and tunnels were electrified long before it was considered profitable to apply electricity to main lines generally. Both elements are present in this case, and together put the case beyond dispute, and constitute an irrefutable argument if the case has to be argued out again. I clearly understood in 1912 that the principle of electrification was adopted by Sir Joseph Ward's Cabinet, and that it wa a question solely or ways and mean 3, but it may be found necessary to begin over again, as considerable time has elapsed and many things happened since then." Mr Climie said that Mr Parry would shortly visit Christehurch again. Mr W. Goss moved that the Railway Committee should be asked to meet Mr Parry. Mr H. J. Marriner suggested that the Harbour Board and the Chamber of Commerce should be invited to appoint delegates to meet Mr Parry with the Railway Committee of the League. Mr Gobs amended his motion to provide for the calling of a special meeting of the executive to meet Mr Parry. This was seconded by Mr G. H. Judd. Mr W. M. Tyers said that the Harbour Board and Lyttelton Borough Council should be asked to send representatives. Mr P. Thompson said that Mr Parry would probably speak with greater freedom before the executive committee alone. Mr T. A. Blackley said the County Councils of Canterbury should be invited to meet Mr Parry. It was agreed that the organiser should ascertain Mr Parry's wishes on the subject.

Mr Goss' motion was then put and earned.