Southern motorway

Press, 19 June 1979, Page 18

Southern motorway

Sir, — Is it correct that the proposed four-lane motorway through Addington is now to be of two lanes only? Judging from the work in progress it would appear that this is the case, and one can only presume it is because the funds thereby saved will enable motorway construction in the north to proceed unhindered. The amount of motorway work in and around Auckland certainly gives the impression that they receive more than their share of funds.—Yours, " N. D. GREENSLADE. June 5, 1979. [Mr P. F. Reynolds, District Commissioner of Works, replies: “It is correct that the Southern Motorway is being constructed to a two lane standard as a first stage with provision for duplication when the necessity arises. The reason for this is that traffic volumes and the rate of traffic growth no longer warrant construction to the ultimate design at present. There is no question of saving funds to enable the Northern Motorway to proceed. The Canterbury Regional Planning Authority has recently completed a review of its master transport plan, and before further progress can be made the revised proposals must be agreed to by the local authorities concerned. Although Auckland is granted more funds for motorways, it must be remembered that traffic densities are inestimably greater. Nevertheless, the total finance allocated for State highways in the Christchurch district as a whole is comparable.”]

Town Hall organ Sir, — We have seen many a; ikies and letters on the subject of a pipe organ for the Town Hall. What about the money held in trust for this purpose and poss : ble future bequests? There appeared few problems in purchasing the Stemway and harpsichord, both necessary but expensive instruments. It has been shown elsewhere that with a good organ, good publicity and good recitalists, public interest and following in, recitals has grown. People still talk of Dr Bradshaw’s concerts 40 years ago. There were few spare seats when George Thalben-Ball, Peter Hawford, Gillian Weir, Jack Peters and others performed in Christchurch churches. Organists might not agree on the finer details of pipe

organ design but they would be unanimous in repelling the idea of an electronic organ. This would be comparable to replacing the symphony orchestra with high fidelity stereo. — "Yours, etc-, PAUL V. ELLIS, Organist, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. June 15, 1979.