RAILWAY WORKS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 68, 17 September 1925, Page 6

RAILWAY WORKS

IMPBOVEMENTS AT CHEIST-

CHXJECH.

A definite promise in regard to the commencement of railway > improvement works at Christchurch was given by the Minister of Railways (tie Hon. J. <J. Coates) to a,;deputation of South Island members this morning. ' ■ ■ ■'.- ' "■ , " .-'•' •■.■■• -■.;•.•:

- Mr. Cortes said that he had a report from Mr. Fay, the railway equipment operation officer, and Mr. Carey, an engineer who specialised in layout, and their recommendations raninto £400,000. It was hoped'to start with this year's programme in about two months after the working plans were completed. [ The expenditure for |his financial year would total approximately £72,000 —£8000 at Lyttelton, £3000 at Addington, £31,000 at Mi'ddleton, and £30,000 at;. Christchurch.. . ' '' y '■..'■■ ■'.■■■ '■..:'■'

' Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttelton): "It is not duplication or electrification?"

Mr. C'bates: "It is purely layout, in view of the possible electrification." . . . .''■ •' . ■-.-'• '.

Mr. .L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North): "Are you trying to resuscitate the electric engine for/ use in the tunnel?" . :

Mr. Coates:. "I have not seen it. If they resurrected anything, I should look carefully before trying it^" He asked the members, in considering.the relative urgency of the work, to look at the figures.of freight and passenger traffic, then they would see where the Department was tied in a knot.