THE TUNNEL AGAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 108, 7 May 1926, Page 6

THE TUNNEL AGAIN

EASTERN SUBURBS PROPOSAL

EIXON GROVE EOTJTE URGED.

Urging the adoption of the Bixon Grove route for the proposed tunnel to the Eastern suburbs, a deputation representing the Eastern Suburbs League waited on the City Council last evening. Mr. A. C. Blake said that at a recent meeting of the league it was urged that the merits of the Bixon Grove route had not been sufficiently examined, and that a competent consulting engineer should be obtained to act with the council's officers. It was possible that the new engineer would have different views on the subject of the tunnel. Ho thought that the tunnel should be known as the "Eastern Suburbs tunnel." The Kilbirnie Association had favoured the Ellice street route, but they were supporting the league in the request that the merits of the Kixon Grove route should be closely examined. Mr. E. A. Batt said that six yearn had elapsed since the loan schedule had been put before the council. Originally the cost had been estimated at £167,----000, but at the time of the poll the then Mayor (Sir John Luke) had stated that it was not known where the tunnel wan to be placed. The then Mayor was asked how an estimate could be formed under those circumstances. That waa a very awkward question. The speaker traced the events leading up to the rejection of the Kixon Grove route. Their plan was that a tunnel could be construetcd which would be shorter than the proposed Ellice street route. The Bixon Grove tunnel would not be as long. Compensation in the case of the Bixon Grove route would amount to £30,000, and the actual tunnel would cost, according to the estimate of experts, £80,000, a total of £110,000. He urged that the council should secure outside advice, and consider the early construction of another tunnel. They wanted a tunnel that would serve the community for generations to come. The Mayor (Mr. C. B. Norwood) said that the" Pinanee Committee had recently authorised a consultation with an outside engineer, and the result of that consultation was not yet known. I There was a resolution on the books of the council at present, said the Mayor, and until due consideration had been given to the matter it would be very improper f r him to say anything more on the subject. He assured the deputation that their representations would be very carefully considered.