THE OTIRA TUNNEL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 286, 22 August 1918, Page 5

THE OTIRA TUNNEL

BREAKING DOWN THE HEADINGS

THE RAILWAY'S IMPORTANCE

MAY BE COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS

By Telegraph—Pices Association. Christchurcli, August 21. Fino weather was exporiejicea to-day for the function at Arthur's Pasa in connection with lumg tho shot breaking down the headings of the Arthur's t'asa tunnel. The visitors iron; (Jhnstchurcu numbered 290, including the ActingPriiuo Minister (Sir-James Allen), Sir AVilliam Fraser (Minister of Public .Works), tho Hon. G. AV. Russell, Mr. H. Holland (Mayor of Christchurcli), Mrs. ■ B. J. Seddon and two daughters, and representative men of Canterbury. About 140 representative men of theAVest Coast jjoined the party at Arthur's Pass. Sir AVilliam Fraser, at 2.30 p.m., from the Beuley mouth of tho tunnel, electrically fired a shot one mile and a half in the tunnel, breaking down the headings, and a band played the National Anthem. Sir AVilliam Fraser, apologising for tho absence of tho Hon. W. M. Herries (Minister of Railways), aud speaking for himself, and he believed the Cabinet ■would agree, said he looked upon tho "work as one of Dominion importance. The liass was discovered in 18& i by Mr. Arthur Dudley Dobson, who he was pleased to seo present. Tho Minister read a telecram of congratulation from Mrs. Hay, widow of Mr, P. S. Hay, the Engineer-in-Chicf, who was connected with the work. After .referring to tho history of the railway and the tunnel, the Minis-, •ter, alluding to those vtho-had worked' for tho railway, mentioned Mr. Seddon, and said ho was pleased to see representatives of tho family present. Regarding tho completion of tho lin;, he said money was only availablo for public works af,tor tho war requirements were met,'and the completion would depend upon how, long 'the war lasted. He sincerely hoped that, if circumstances were favourable, it would bo completed in two years or two years and a 'half, but tho'.oniy pledge Le could give was that he would do all ho could 'to seo tho work finished a3 early as possible. Ho complimented' thß engineers on tho- accuracy of the .work, and called for three cheers for the en"jdneer, the staff, and the workmen.

Sir James Alien conveyed the congratulations of the Primo Minister and the Hon. W. D.-.S. AtacDonald (who telecraphed Sir Joseph Ward's congratulations) on the progress of the work. His interest in the lino as Minister of Defence was on account of its strategic importance. From, that viewpoint the linp perhaps was the most valuablo in the Dominion for defence purposes. The lino would be of enormous value, and if it had been completed it would havo been much appreciated now, owing to-the coal shortage. The lino would ho not only 'beneficial to Canterbury and the AVest Coast, bnt to the whole of New Zealand.

The Hon/ G. W. Russell said he took fifr his hat to Sir William Fraser for tho persistent way in which he insisted 'on "the work being carried through, despite ■the immense pressure from one part of the Dominion that wanted expenditure on the lino stopped. He thought Canterbury should erect a i statue to Sir "William Fraser when the line was completed. He referred to the pleasure it would have given Mr. Tom Seddon, M.P., to ■*be present, and Sir William Fraser called for three, cheers for Mr. Tom Seddon. Referring to the resources of the Coast, "Mr. Russell said that possibly the quartz origin of ths alluvial gold would bo ultimately discovered. '

Air.-- Holland, Mayor of Christchurch, epoke 1 of the advantages of the line to lx>th coasts.

Mr. Lynch, Greymouth. expressed a desire that the Coast should get closer connection with Canterbury, and referred to the_ economics that would be effected, especially in regard to coal when the line was completed. ■

Airs. Seddon thanked the' gathering for remembering Tom, which .touched, lier very much. .''■''

Air. Hewlett, president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, said the advantages of tho line appealed to anyone with commercial instincts, especially flt a time liko the. present, when the shortage of shipping was interfering so inuch with the Dominion's trndo.

The Hon. J. Grimmond said the West Coast joined with Canterbury and the ■whole Dominion in expressing approval of the work. Ho had been connected with the agitation,' for 4.0 years, and honed to live to see the rn : lway completed. ;'•

Cheers were given liy Canterbury for the We.it Coast, and vice versa, and cheers for Sir William Eraser ended the ceremony.