ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16157, 11 March 1918, Page 6

ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE. Oti the arrival of the Arthur's Pass express on Saturday evening, a ■representative oi" li The Press" saw Mr F. W. Furkert. Inspecting Engineer. Public 'Works Department, and asked him it' ho could give any information regarding the strike of the men employed on the Arthur's Pass tunnel. Mr Furkert replied that ho had been son: to Otira to enquire into the strike and to make a report to the .Minister, and in these cireumstanecs he was unable to give any information regarding the strike. He stated thai only the men at the Otira end were on strike. •'lt is very gratifying to know that there is just under 18 chains separating the headings of the tunnel, ' Mr Furkert remarked, "and if tho men st the Otira end who are on strike return to work soon, I fully expect that the liealey and Otira headings wilt moot in August." As to whether the men at the Otira end were likely to remain long out < n strike, Mr Furkert said that he cid not care-to express an opinion. In conversation with some of the other passengers the reporter learned that there is some possibility of an early settlement of the trouble which has arisen amongst the men at Otiri. According to some reports not all those on strike feel that tlie reason_ for the extreme step taken justified it beina: taken, and it. is estimated that futiv one-half of the men are anxious to l resume work. It is considered possible that, as the result of the inquiries made by Mr Furkert, a way out of the difficulty will be found tJefore long.