THE SMOKY TUNNEL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 83, 14 May 1914, Page 8

THE SMOKY TUNNEL.

ELECTRIFICATION OR DUPLICATION? THE MAYOR'S PBEFEEENCE. ■..The'••reply of the' Minister for Bailways: to th£ deputation which waited on him yesterday 1 regarding the liyttelton tunnel was discussed by the Mayor to-day. - : : < : ' "If I had"the choice between Electrification and duplication^' T : said his : Wt>r-' ship, "I would choose the latter; from| a commercial point of view. Electrifica- 1 tion would not minimise the delays which are caused ait present, but'would rather augment them, inasmuch as we are asking for a more frequent service. Only one train, electric or steam, can pass through the tunnel at the "one time. -

"The best solution of the difficulty would be to carry out both schemes: I understand that the schemes would cost £IOO,OOO each,. and one job might be made of the two. There is- no doubt that a great deal of inconvenience is caused by. one train having to wait till another lias got through. I have seen the ferry train, with hundreds of-pas-sengers, held up to allow a train *to come through. With a double line such delays would: be a thing of the past. Electrification is more of an improvement, or .ai luxury, than a commercial necessity*,'' . •»