THROUGH OTIRA TUNNEL.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1921, Page 2

THROUGH OTIRA TUNNEL.

first train load of pas-

SENGKRS

(Grey Argus)

The first train load of passengers ( -Mine through Ot'ira Tunnel yesterday. Owim' to the slip in the Gorge the ( ~! U' hes were not able to get through from Otira; and Mr H. E. Holland M.P.. (who had wired to the lion air Coates, Minister of Public Works, from Christchurch inquiring if it would be possible for him to travel through the Tunnel at Arthur’s Pass) Mr Holland found Mr Coates’s reply awaiting lnm, intimating that instructions had been j,i von that he was to be conveyed through the tunnel The officials in charge consented also to convey the other passengers, of whom there were about 15. The party had to walk a distance of about half a mile at the headings'*' the remainder of the distance was made in the electric trollies. The section negotiated on foot was exceedingly wet, the passengers walking ankle deep in water for various distances. Ihe water came down from the roof in generous

quantities. Among the passengers who were taken through the tunnel was one very aged lady! who stood the ordeal better oven than some of the men.

On emerging from the tunnel, the train-load of passengers was suap-shoot-d. after which, at Air Holland’s call, cheers were given for the officials and motor-men who had brought the party through ,and for the sole lady pnssen-

~e r. A final round of cheers were given for Mr Holland, whose efforts had resulted in the passengers being carried through the tunnel instead of having to make the journey over the mountains on foot.