THE LYTTELTON TUNNEL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14982, 1 June 1914, Page 4

THE LYTTELTON TUNNEL.

INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF THE CONTRACTORS. (FROM A CORR_SrONDEXT.'> WELLINGTON, May 30. One of tho men who constructed tho Lyttelton tunnel, the Hon. E. Richardeon, has been for many years a resident of Wellington, and your correspondent had _n interesting interview with him this morning on the subject of electrification and duplication. Would there, ho was asked in the light of his experience as a contractor for the work, be any difficulty in duplij eating? No, he did not think so. "There were no particular difficulties experienced in making the tunnel," said Mr Richardson. "We went through three different strata, evidently the result of volcanic disturbances, and met with a considerable quantity of water, but were able to drain it off without any difficulty. There was only one big slip, and that was at. tho Christchurch end of the tunnel. Mr G. Holmes was my partner in tho contract and it took us five years to carry out . the work. Tho contract price was £?00.000. but that the construction of five mi' of into Christchurch. "Kiectrifica+km could," continue?! Mr Ri?hnrd«on. "be done very quickly, but duplication would take a considerable time." "Which, in your o n i"ion. should be done first electrification or duplication?" asked tho interviewer. "If 1 had to do it, I would elwitrify first. As to duplication, mv idea is that a separate tunnel should he constructed, running parallel with the present one. but only connected with it. by openinc* at intervals. By th's means you would obviate any possibility of ir.ferferinsr wi+h tho work of the old tunnel vhilo the now tunnel was being pierced." \