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Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1917, Page 2

The railway officials are- fully impressed with the traffic possibilities of the (East and West Coast railway once Ross and Reefton, aro linked up wun Lytlfeltonk (During '.last week It-ho principal engineer and traffic officials made a- close of tho Still-water-Otira line with a view of laying plans to perfect the- running of trains, by easy curves, lessening grades, arm strengthening crossings. For a long •f\imio f tho prospects (of this great a Uteri al lints were hampered' by the cold official attitude towards the line. A Christchurch official appears to ha»o been the first to realise the possibilities of railway transit, and lie prepared a favourable report which tva» at first looked at. askance, and then quietly pigeon-holed. But, other minds wore brought to a consideration of the qutstion, and examining it closely, tho commercial side began to nipress them, and sines then the prospects of tho line have grown ill favour. Ifc is not so long ago that a tariff tor tho lin© was drafted and tho estimated, volume of trade considered.. Tho figures further surprised tfie Department, arid now there is tangible proof of the possibilities ahead by tho officials’ visit to scheme,out tho working of tho line to tho bedfc advantage. Indeed in some quarters there is the fear that the tunlnel from the very outset will require to be operated night aud day in order to deal with the great transport trade going East and West continuously. The prospect of this great volume of trade means that the West- Coast will go qjliead by leaps and bounds.