OTIRA TUNNEL

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1920, Page 2

OTIRA TUNNEL

ELECTRICATION TENDERS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 25. Tim of Heel's of tlie Public Works Department to-day met Sir Arnold (* redley, representative of the English Electric Coy., Ltd., in a. discussion of details of tlie tenders for tlie electrification of Otira. Tunnel. Tlie English Coy’s tender is practically accepted for a sum in the vicinity of £300,000. The Government also received a tender for a somewhat similar amount from the National Electrical Engineering Coy. to supply the equipment required for the Work. The Public Works Department Tenders Board, in accepting the tenders, had to take /into account a number of factors apart from the price, and

tlie chief of these was the plant proposed the possible power developed, and the time required for installation. 'The contract includes the electrical equipment of a coal fired generator station of 4000 h.p. capacity kit Otira, the supply of six electrical locomotives, the electrification of tlie track between the present steam termini alt Otira. and Arthur’s Pass, including a new 5} mile tunnel, electric lighting of the tunnel, and the equipment of the necessary workshops at Otira. It is expected that the whole work will be completed for operation in about eighteen months. Sir Arnold Gredley will leave for a short visit to Australia towards the end of September, and will return to England, via Colombo.