THE SUBURBS TUNNEL

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 41, 20 February 1929, Page 8

THE SUBURBS TUNNEL

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—ln your report of Monday's meeting of the Hataitai Municipal Electors' Association, it is stated that Councillor It. Semjile said (with reference to the proposed castorn- suburbs tunnel) "If I got a chnnco to do the job for £161,000 I'd jump at it," etc, What tho speaker did say was, "If I was after a job and got the chance to do it for £161,000 I'd jump at it," etc. There is a distinction with a difference in the two statements, which in fairness to Councillor Semplo should bo recorded.—l am, etc., •

H. K. SEARLK Chairman, Electors' Association

In conversation with a "Post" representative to-day, Councillor, R. Semple, made it quite clear that he did not want tho job ot driving the new tunnel through Mount Victoria, as might be inferred from the heading of a report of what he said on tho subject when addressing the Hataitai Electors Association on Monday night. "I have had twenty-seven years' experience of work underground," remarked Mr. Semple to-day, "and I am finished with that class of work. All I want to ensure is that tho tunnel is put through for the convenience of the people in,the eastern suburbs. And of the city generally." Mr. Semple added that what be said at the meeting at Hataitai was that if he was out of employment and the job was offered to him at £161,000, plus the £213,000 Government subsidy, he would jump at it. and would undertake to have tho Work completed in two years instead of throe, besides which he would make more mcjney out of it than he would over make out of public life. Mr. Seraple said that he had sufficient experience to enable him to offer intelligent criticism of any engineer's proposals connected with tunnelling work. "I differ from the City Council's methods m dealing with this question," said, Mr. Semple, "and from the Engineer's policy. 1 believe that the late estimate is correct."