TUNNEL ROAD IN SOUTH

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 984, 29 May 1930, Page 18

TUNNEL ROAD IN SOUTH

ACCESS TO THE SEA FOR CHRISTCHURCH COMMISSION OF INQUIRY Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. What was alleged to be fear of victimisation by the Railway Department today led two of the witnesses before the commission which is inquiring into the matter of direct access to sea to ask for suppression of their names, and a third to give his evidence in camera. After the hearing of further expert evidence, on the ventilation, lighting, feasibility and necessity of a tunnel road, the Port and City League presented as witnesses a number of city merchants and business men representing a wide variety of interests. Their evidence was that, the present system of transport between Lyttelton and Christchurch was out of date; that the Railway Depaxtment, although frequently approached, had made no serious effort to improve it; Lhat delays in transport of cargo were from three to 12 days; that pillaging and breakages were increasing; and that the solution of their difficulties lay in immediate access to the port, which would be provided by a tunnel road. Evidence was given showing that transport charges would be less by road than by rail, particularly when tonnage was calculated by measurement. The Christchurch City Engineer, Mr. A. R. Galbraith, the engineer to the Waimakariri River Trust, Mr. 11. W. Harris, and an experienced ventilating engineer, Mr. H. F. Purcell, were experts why gave evidence, while the proprietor of Aulsebrook and Company. Ltd., Mr. R. E. McDougall, and the general iVianager of the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company, Ltd.. Mr. W. R. Carey, were prominent representatives of the manufacturing interests. All strongly advocated the making of a tunnel road to Lyttelton. The hearing of the evidence is expected to occupy 10 days.