TUNNEL EFFECTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1923, Page 2

TUNNEL EFFECTS.

NO TIMBER FOR SHIPS, t OA.STAL TRADE. DAMAGED. (Grey Argus). ‘There are small quantities of limber going through the tunnel," said Mr I). Torment (Stratford, Blair and C’o.) to an "Algos'’ reporter yesterday afternoon, “hut nothing of very great consequence." The tunnel could not as yet cope with much, 110 tons being the maximum haul for an electric loco at present, but when coal was in such demand in Canterbury as at present, timber was being held back. There had been brought to the Coast, recently four new “U.C.” locos and another was due. There would lie used in hattlino goods ti]> to the tunnel. The grade beyond Jacksons was very steep, and about 200 tons only could be hauled. This at present, would preclude any large cargoes of timber. Meanwhile millers were bolding back waiting For better tunnel facilities and not much timber was being shipped over the wharf.

The Midland Timlter Company have directions to send all Canterbury orders through the tunnel. "One of our best customers in Timaru,” said a member of the firm, “also wants his timber through the tunnel. 1* rom this, it will he seen that prospects for trade on the other side of the Alps are brightening. The new State Advances Bill, too, is almost certain to start a small boon in building,” he said, “and we may expect larger orders.”

When asked what the effect- of the Tunnel was ott his line of ships, an agent for one line of steamers trading between Grevmouth and Lyttelton, said his ships’ trade here had been ruined almost. Within the last few days, lie had had a consignment of 65,000 feet of timber cancelled. This was a big thing to his line, and the slops would have to he put on another run. The ships could not compete with the Railway, for to do so, freights would have to he reduced to about Is Pd a hundred s. ft. and this could not be done. Mr W. R. Gilbert (Secretary of the Harbour Board) said the effect of the tunnel on the part was not yet apparent, except in tho bare appearance of the wharf. For the past month, up to July 21st. last, about 5.000.000 feet of limber had been exported, and that wan n fairly high amount. He expected the port to be affected to the extent of about' one-third of its export for New Zealand consumption. Tho agent for another small lino of shins said bis firm was working up a fairly good market in the North Island. The export to the ports to which its ships traded had every prospect- of increasing.