TUNNEL UNDER CITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20475, 29 January 1930, Page 14

TUNNEL UNDER CITY.

THE MORNINGSIIDE SCHEME.

DEFENCE OF ABANDONMENT.

"DECISION NOT TO BE ALTERED."

"The decision with regard to the Morningsido tunnel deviation is not' going to be altered," the Minister of Railways, Hon. W. B. Trivemer. told a deputation representing the Northern Suburban Railways and Highways League, which waited on him in Auckland yesterday.

The deputation comprised Mr, H. A. Robertson and Mr. C. H. Spinlcy, who stated that tho Minister's recent announcement of the abandonment of tho scheme had come as a big shock. Had it been known earlier that the tunnel project was not to be proceeded with, there would have been very seriotfs objections to tho new railway station in Auckland being erected on its present site.

Stating that he was familiar with all the league's arguments, tho Minister said tho decision would not bo altered, "The decision was made after many months of very serious expert study," lie added, "While I was being badgered about not making a statoment, the delay in making it was due to the fact that I was not in full possession of all tho fact's. X would like to poiut out that, after the mutter was brought under my notice by a large and representative deputation in Auckland last year, I undertook to make a full investigation into the wholo position. "If there is any portion of my statement which has not been made plain to you, or if there is any information which you think you are entitled to have, I will be only too glad to make it available to you," continued tho Minister. "I take full responsibility on behalf of the Government for tho announcement, and I am prepared to consider any legitimate arguments. ' There was no question, of taking into consideration North v. South in tho matter. If anything in the statoment has been omitted or appears to have a meaning which is not intended, I am prepared to go into it again." Criticism of the action of the Government in abandoning the Morningside tunnel project was expressed at the meeting of the Glen Eden Town Board ou Monday evening. It was contended that tho tendency was to put transport more and more under tlio control of motor interests.

Tho chairman, Mr. W. E. Martin, said that as the progress of tho district depended largely on tho inauguration of the tunnel scheme its rejection was viewed with alarm. He hoped that tho last word in the matte* had nofc yet been said-