OTIRA TUNNEL LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16150, 2 March 1918, Page 8

OTIRA TUNNEL LEAGUE.

CORRESPONDENCE COMMITTEE. Tlic Correspondence and Statistical Sub-conimitteo of the Otira Tunnel League met vesterdnv afternoon. Prosent—The Mayor (Mr H\ Holland) in the chair. Messrs H. Quanc, T. W • Reese, Cyrus Williams. J. Wyn Irwin, A. H. Aulov, and "\V. M. Tver p. Mr Holland briefly explained the nature and scope or the work that, lay before the committee. It -would be necessary for tho committee to collcct figures and data and statistics generally concerning the national importance of the Otira tunnel, in order to place all the information available at the disposal of tho executive. Mr 11. Qiii'.ne was olected chairman of the committee, and-Mr Cyrus "Willi amp was appointed to act on tho executive with tho chairman. Mr Hclland said that he had heard that tho M.nisier of Public Works was making a statement to the effect that tho work of the League was now over, and that tho Government was prepared to put on any men at Otira who could handle a pick. He did not know what truth was in the ruii.onr. but ho thought that the League should go ste.idilv on with the work it had set itself to accomplish. Mr Qunne suggested that, tho committee should concern itself with statistics only, and that tho other committees should manage their own correspondence. Mr Wyn Irwin said that some time ago he had prepared a statement summarising the advantages for and the re-sons against the completion of tho Midland Railway. He suggested that the figures and facts ho had compiled should bo given to the various committees. To the Propaganda Committee* would go such facts as the enlarging of the dairy produce of the West Coast, tho cheapening of coal and timber, and tho spurt that industry woidd rocoive generally as a result of the completion of the railway, while the West Caost Committee might bo assisted by tho establishment of tho fact that grain would bo much chcaper on the Coast by reason of the decrease in freights. Ho thought tho Statistics C-mmittce should act as a feeder to the other committees, and as such should get to work immediately. Mr Tyers suggested that the Defence authorities should be asked to express an opinion on the military value or tho tunnel.

Mr Qnano said that the argument on military g: ounds had already been used. i/ a ' that could bo done was to elaborate reasons already put forward for the completion of tho"tunnel. Mr Williams said the main thing was t° bnn- all avai'ab'e data up to date. The chairman asked Mr Irwin to arrange the statisti: s ho had already compiled under separate headings.

Whilst m Wellington this week, Mr nitty, M.P., asked the Hon. Si- Wil•F,raser> Minister of Public Works, phy the number of men engaged on the Arthur's Pass tunnel was not increased. The Minister replied that he wou.d be pleased to put more men on the work if he could find them. ' Mechanics as well as general labourers wore needed, because the sharpening of tools and similar work had to be attended to. It was useless to engage labourers if there was nobody to sharpen tools for them. If Christchurch residents would find suitable men and communicate with the engineer in charge, they would bo engaged.