MR. SEMPLE MAY VISIT U.S. FOR TUNNELLING PLANT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22698, 24 July 1948, Page 3

MR. SEMPLE MAY VISIT U.S. FOR TUNNELLING PLANT

(P.R.) WELLINGTON, July 24. The possibility that he would visit the United Elates after the end of me present session of Parliament to obtain up-to-date tunnelling equipment was mentioned by the Minister of Works, Mr. it. Semple, when replying to a deputation of 12 Auckland memoers of Parliament. Mr. Sempie was discussing pians for an underground railway in Auckland. "The Commissioner ol Works, Mr. E. R. McKillop, has been sent to London to gel the best equipment and ne is also going to the United States,” said Mr. Semple. "1 may go myself alter the session, if I can, to get to know the best methods available. I am satisfied unit the Americans can beat us hands down underground. How they do it r don't know.”

'ihe Minister also said that another task for Mr. McKillop was to try to obtain engineers from overseas.

Mr. Semple revealed tnat zb oo tons of steel was being imported from Belgium as well as 400 tons from England. The Belgian steel would cost £6O a ton against L 25 a ton front Australia. New z.ealand eouid do with twice as much steel as it was getting. While overseas Mr. McKillop also would endeavour to interest contractors in England and the United States in the construction of the Auckland harbour bridge. Tne district commissioner of works in Auckland, Mr R. H. Packwood, said that the Auckland Harbour Board had agreed to carry out tests by a modified form of borine for the foundations of the bridge. This was being done on behalf of the Works Department and at the cost of the Government.

The bridge would absorb at least 10,000 tons of ‘'Wei and 12.000 tons of cement which w'ould build 500 rural bridges. In a later reference to the bridge Mr. Semnlo said that world wide tenders would be called.