SUBURBAN RAILWAYS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11876, 9 July 1924, Page 7

SUBURBAN RAILWAYS

ELECTRIFICATION QUESTION MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS ISSUES A STATEMENT. REPORT ASKED FOR. Recently Mr T. M. Wilford asked a question in the House respecting the electrification of suburban railways, and yesterday the Minister for Railways issued the following statement: — “From time to time there has been a public agitation pressing foT the electrification of the suburban sections of railway around the four chief centres. This (has been particularly stressed in connection with the GhristchurchLyttelton and Wellington-Hutt sections. Probably the agitation is not based) on any technical knowledge of the subject but on a general assumption by the public that the electrical working would be cheaper and more pleasant. “Some years ago the 'Government obtained a report on the question of electrifying the Ly ttelton-Clu-istchiuxdh section. The report, however, was not very conclusive, os certain Government officers were of the opinion that electrification was necessary and justified, hut others considered that while it might be desirable, the economic results would not be commensurate with the cost. Much the same position obtains in regard to Wellington and Dunedin. CONGESTION AT AUCKLAND.

“In Auckland a difficult position has arisen; the number of trainß now entering the city station being ©o great that it 13 practically impossible with tho present faci]i-ties to do more, while the traffic is continually increasing. The time is not far distant when the Bay of Plenty will be connected with the general system,, and this will bring still more traffic into Auckland. The effects of the connection to Whangarei have alreadv been felt, and when the line is finally completed and handed over for express train working, the congestion will be accentuated. The Government feels that before embarking on aiiv system of station and other terminal improvements, it should thoroughly investigate the question of electrification, iri order that there may be nothing done now which would require to be altered in tbe near future. “Cabinet hag asked for a report on tbe whole question of the electrical or other working of the suburban traffic at the four centres from a firm of world-wide. reputation, and with that objeot in view, I am now in communication with suitable engineering firms, who will first consider whether electrification is necessary and' economically justified and then the best system to he adopted, the probable effect on traffic, and the general commercial considerations.