OTIRA TUNNEL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1520, 16 August 1912, Page 5

OTIRA TUNNEL.

THE CONTRACTORS' PETITION, FEELING IN CHRISTCHURCH. (By Telciraph.-Prcss Association." Christchurch, August 14. The position of affairs in oonuection with tho Arthur's Pass tunnef contract disclosed by the petition of the contractors to Parliament is the subject of ninny expressions of regret. Several representative citizens who were seen by a representative of the "Press" on the subject of tho compleliou of the railway connection between tho East and West Coasts of the South island, stated that tho matter was of vital import-unco to tho West Coast, and of no In-.* importance to Canterbury. Tho possibility of this national undertaking- being lndciinitely luuig up, if it existed, would loud probably ,to a revival of the agitations on both sides of the ranges that rugod in times past on (he West Coast and •m Canterbury. Citizens interviewed today, wiiilst not desirous of prejudicing tho case of the contractors, expressed strong opinions in support of the Government either taking over tho work and completing it, or giving tho contractors such assistance as would enable them to continue and complete the work. One and all, however, considered that the work ought to be gone on with.

One business man. indiented that commercial men in Christchurch, in anticipation of the early completion of tho tunnel, and in order to capture some of Jio West Coast trade, have sent representatives to the West Coast to work up business conned ions, and if the oomple-' tion ot tho tunnel is unduly delayed theso oflorts will go for nought, and will luive to bo resumed later. him!'' "■' § m \"°> «"ho was chairman of tho" Midland Railway Committee of the Canternary Chamber of Commerce, when fcen cm the matter, said that it was to be i-ograt, , ted that the contractors had not been able to carry out the work. At the lime the C ? nt l n . e i t ,' v ?? id {i ' ras b'onernlly understood that they would make a fairly good prolit ot it. As-indicating that their contract price was not out of reason, it was a fact that a lower tender was received when tenders were first called lor but was not accepted because the tenderers, Messrs; Scott Brothers, of this city -when forwarding the tender did not iully comply with the conditions. Mr. Quanc added that the tenderers referred to wcro undoubtedly a liable firm, and ii they had secured the contract would have carried out the work,, no matter what happened, except very extraordinary eventualities occurred, us* for instance, an earthquake. It appeared to Mr. Quane that there was no doubt that tho labour troubles with which the con- • ■ 'tractors had to contend was the. causo.,''.' ot preventing them completing the work, and had also prevented the work being carried on with greater expedition. "It now becomes a question," Mr. Quano continued, "as to whether (he Government will call upon the sureties of - (lie contractors to complete'the contract. ' In any case, we feel quite sure that tho Ouvernment will see the work' through, •'* •• parlicularly as it is wore than half fin-, ished, and as heavy preparatory work liar teen done at both ends of the tunnel. The Government, as business men, will see the desirableness of completing tho work and linking up the line, because, until that is done, the line '..-ill not give the greatest possible return on (he outlay."

Mr. Neil M'Lean, who is in Christchurch at present, was also seen, hut declined to make any statement, as tho matter was hefiHc Parliament.