CHANNEL COMMUNICATION.
A NEW SCHEME. M. Bi'nau Vakii.i.a, it French engineer who, though only twenty-seven yritrs of asre, hue (the Paris conDsp<uidenr, of \\w Times says) already bei-n decoraled for the ability ho has claims to have di-covured 'he bust menus of communication be: ween England and the Coutin>;nl. Mcforo explaining his scheme, it is well to re.-all tko advantages mid drawback* A llic t.iiuin-1 am! the bridge. The tumi'-l li-is tho ;idvanr.;ig-o of lieinjr easily constructed, of being tinislied in five years, of costing only fib',ooo,ooo, of not tilisiriictiii!.' the navigati-iti and con?eqni.'iil-iy, of not raising any iutirniitioutl diliicuUy. On the other hand, it has against it the inviuoiblu opposition of the English military authorities, aud neither Pailiument nor Iho public seems likely to n'.ler its opinion, so that the scheme seoins for ever diimino.l. Tiie bridge scheiiio has not yot come before Parliament, for the promoters are waiting for the report of tho French ollicial coinmission before {retting n concession in Pal is, nnd before applying for one in England. It has the advantage of Lord Wolsclcy's opinion that the objections to it are infinitely less than to the tunnel from a strategical point of view, while the highest authorities, such as Messrs Fowler, Baker, Heuwant, aud Schneider, declare it to bo quite feasible, aud not in danger from hurricanes. It is, however, expected to cost, some say three, others four or five, times ns much its the tunnel, to take ten or fifteen years to construct, and it might raise international (iilliculties, the adjustment of which is uncertain, as nobody can yet say what Power would put them forward.
M. liinriii Varilla hns considered the great diilioulties raised by buth schema, which render their realisation very remote. Ho hns combined the advantages and avoided the drawbacks in a most ingenious wny. Ho proposes a jiior or viaduct half a mils in length on each side of the Channel. These piers are to bo connected by a tunnel with continuous rails, the descent from (he bridge to the cunucl being- oftected in a tube by the Fell, Otis, Eyilonx, or any other system serving for steep or vertical inclines. The distance from the extremity of the pier to the mouth of the tunnel will be only SO or 100 yards. It is estimated not to cost more than the Uiunel. It will not obstruct the navigation or create any international dilliculty, for the pillars of the piers are to he 500 yards apart, with a height of 50 yards, and will bo no obstacle to navigation. The scheme cjn be carried out in six years. It meet-j strategic difficulties, for the tunnel terminates mifc at sea on both sides, and if the connection between pier and tunnel is iiitciTiipli'il the train cannot ascend or descend, for when the tube is destroyed the tunnel is submerged. Tims, at the slightest warlike movement, such Power would be obliged, for its "wn security and to avoid ruinous daubers, to give up ti\e use of what may he called the mixed passage. The realisation of this scheme would naturally imply a fusion with the two existing companies on grounds of economy, time, and scruples.
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Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2820, 9 August 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)
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532CHANNEL COMMUNICATION. Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2820, 9 August 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)
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