Government To Proceed With Rimutaka Tunnel

Chronicle (Levin), 15 February 1949, Page 4

Government To Proceed With Rimutaka Tunnel

Press Association)

(Per

WELLINGTON, Feb. 14. The statement that the Government was calling international tenders for the actual tunnelling work on the Rimutaka railwaV tunnel was made tnis morning by the Hon. R. Sempleh Minister of Works, in an interyiew^by telephone. Mr. Semple said that the public could be assured that the job was being pushed ahead as.fast as possible. It was No. 1 priority job in Wellington province. It was intended to carry out all preliminary Work right up to the portals so that the contractor would be able to start ri^ht away on tunnelling. Asked regarding the proposal to construct a road tunnel through the Rimutakas, Mr. Semple said that the Government was not goirig to jeopardise a big job for a little one. Mr. Semple added that the engines used on the Rimutaka incline, and the rails as weh, would be worn out in a few years, and if a railway tunnel was not provided they wou^d have to be replaced at tremendous cost. Some of the machinery required for the job was on hand and more was coming from overseas. He was going right ahead with all preliminary work He did' hot think the calling of international tenders would -hold Up the work at all as there was stii; a lot Of preliminary work to be done.

; Co-operatives Unponular I Dissatisfaction with the cOnsumer co-operative store in Mangakino caused householders in the township to vote overwhelmingly .in favour of the establishment of a privately-owned concern. The result of a poll arranged by the Mangakino Householders' Association was that 633 people favoured allowing a returned serviceman to establish a -privatelyowned store and 111 voted against the proposal. The proposal was supported on two grounds, said a •member of the Householders' Assoeiation. One store could not copei with the requirements of 4000' residents. There was also an insistent demand for more competition so that existing monopoilies would have to provide a better Iservice.