OTIRA TUNNEL

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1918, Page 4

OTIRA TUNNEL

■AIKKTiN.G OF THE 11 FADINGB

CHRISTCHURCH, June 'JU

It is anticipated that early in August the distance which at present separates the Beaky from the Otiru end of the Arthur's Bass 'funnel will have been excavated, and that Canterbury, and Westland, and other pairs ol the W est Coast will be able to clasp hands in Olio partly completed ‘‘hole through the hill.”

It w ill he recalled that a few weeks ago (he .Mayor of Christchurch (Air 11. Holland), who is president of the Arthur’s Pass Tunnel League, wrote to Sir William Fraser, Minister of Public Works, suggesting that a function should be liold to celebrate an event fraught with such important potentialities to the people on both sides ot the Southern Alps. Yesterday, while Sir William Fraser was in town, the oppor lunity was taken to discuss the wntter. Tn addition to the Minister and the Mayor, there were present in the Mayor's room, the Hon. Joseph Grimniond, M.L.C., and Air 11. J. Alarrinor (chairman of the Railways Committee of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce').

The Mayor, ju a statement afterwards said that as a result of the conference arrangements would he made for the celebration of the event by holding a function at- Arthur’s Pass (the station at the Ben lev end of the tunnel). The Minister was quite, in accord with the proposal, and stated that he was making arrangements with the Hon. W. H. llerries, Minister of Railways, for a special train from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass. The date of the function could not be fixed at present. It was anticipated that -most of the local bodies would be represented at the function, and that a limited number of tickets would be available for members of the general public who desired to he present, provided that application for tickets was made in ample time to permit the Railway Department to make provision for their carriage. Owing to the uncertain weather likely to he experience early In August, it had been agreed to limit those attending the function to men. There was comparatively little shelter at Arthur’s Pass station and if ladies were present and there was rain, they would find matters somewhat uncomfortable. It is hoped to arrange for a representative man from Canterbury,, and one from West Coast to meet in tintunnel as soon as the separating bondings disappear, and shake hands as symbolic of the union of the two coasts. At Arthur’s Pass there will be a luncheon at which speeches referring to the event celebrated will be made. As soon as it is ascertained when the two headings are likely to meet, the date of the function will he fixed and announced.

It is understood that Sir William Fraser and the Hon. J. Grimmoml are anxious to be the first to crawl through the hole made when the headings meet —the Minister from the Bealoy end and Mr Grimmoiul from the Gtir’a end.