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Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1917, Page 2

The pronouncement of the Minister of Public Works in Wellington last week regarding the Otira: tunnel works, has brought the consummation of that great national undertaking appreciably nearer. On tho face of it,, it should not be impossible now to see. the through servico available in something within tho region of three years. All going well, the heading will be pierced in a few months, perhaps by r.oxi winter; and that important junction satisfactorily achieved, the work of completing tho lining can he hurried along yory expeditiously. Then comes for consideration the all-important matter of motive power to work tho trains through the tunnel, there will he a great volume of traffic, and a large installation for power purpose? will he necessary. At present the departments concerned are seeking hydro-electric power, and it would appear that tho West Coast power schemes of Ibis nature are not considered equal to requirements. Thera remains a Canterbury source, where already great and useful developments me. taking place for industrial, lighting and otlier purposes in the sister province. Whether there will lie power to sparo for the tunnel alter the demand of tho East Coast is provided for, remains to be seen. The Hake Coleridge scheme would in „itself require to he greatly expanded. A suggestion has been made from an unofficial souroo that the generation ot olectric power from West Coast coal on the Westland side might be found to be the final solution of the power scheme for the tunnel. In any casa an auxiliary service of this kind, it is calculated, would he necessary in case of the sudden break down of a major olectric service; ,

The possible explanations of thw position certainly clear me air, and aflord a brighter outlook as to tho earlier completion of tho great ' work. The adaptation of to tho enlarged demands upon it, or the provision of a steam generated power, would bo speedier undertakings than the harnessing of one or other of the West Coast power schemes in these restricted days of supplies. The Hon. Minister was very explicit and definite as to the power being at hand when the rails were ready to carry the trains. Mr. Fraser recognises tho great national importance of the work, and his clear pronouncement will go a long way to allay the anxiety of tho folk on both sides of the ranges regarding the time when the railway can be brought into domestic use. Our suggestion, of three years is not a discouraging one. As time flies nowadays, the period is not unduly long, while it is ndequate, it would appear, at tho present rate of progress, to see the fcrdent wish of the people fulfilled. Certainly the work has now reached a stage at which it should not be stopped for any ordinary reason or cause. Tho work is so far advanced, and its whole prospects are brightening as tho time goes hv. There is an increasing volume of traffic and intercourse between the two Coasts, while the freight prospects promise to be a tost of the transporting qualities of tho line from the very outset. It is particularly cheering, therefore, to find the work in such special favour with the Minister responsible for its completion. His personal interest is a guarantee that tho wishes of tho people will u* duly gratified.