FAULTS IN TUNNELS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 195, 16 May 1944, Page 4

FAULTS IN TUNNELS

Administrative Side Being Investigated REMEDIAL MEASURES A statement that the Public Service Commissioner, Mr. J. H. Boyes, was conducting an inquiry into the administrative side of the faults found in the TurakinaFordell tunnels was made yesterday by the Minister of Works, Mr. Semple. Associated with Mr. Boyes in the inquiry there would be Mr. Hugh Vickerinan, Wellington, civil engineer, who htid had a great deal of tunnelling experience and who had commanded the New Zealand Tunnelling Corps in the 1914-18 war; also Mr. Walter Brooke, Wellington, practical tunneller of many years’ experience in all methods of tunnelling and in all descriptions of country. The inquiry, said Mr. Semple, would be made in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Act. which meant that the Commissioner had all the powers laid down under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, and therefore would be able to call evidence from employees of any department affected, from retired civil servants, or frpm any other person from whom he desired to obtain evidence. Referring to measures to be taken to make the two tunnels safe for rail traffic, Mr. Semple said that the railway engineers. in collaboration with the Public Works engineers, had thoroughly investigated the : position and had decided on measures that would satisfactorily remedy the defects and provide the maximum degree of safety. He had personally insnected the tunnels and was in full agreement with remedial measures suggested by his engineers. "No time will be Jost either in conducting the inquiry or in carrying out the work required to be done to the tunnels.’ said Mr. Semple. The Minister revealed that serious defects had developed in the Fordell and Turakina tunnels, when he made a statement to the' House of Representatives in March. The tunnels are on the MartonWanganui railway deviation. This is 10 miles long, and ‘ when completed will shorten the distance by rail between Marton and Wanganui by three and a half miles, and will also avoid a severe haul over hilly country.