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Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1921, Page 2

Timoroii tlu> of tin 1 Westland Progress l.eanue, wo me soon to lie told in what should bo a very interestin'; illustrated lecture; “the story of the Otira Tunnel." Meantime, the telegrams this week are reminding us that thniiLth the tunnel is nearino completion, then l beino less than throe weeks’ work to finish the lining, it is altogether uncertain when through traffic will be regularly possible. This is a condition of affairs long foretold alien

Sir William Krasor, while Minister of I‘ithlif Works refused to give ear to the many suggestions made to him to order the electric gear and plant for *he tunnel. Sir William’s reply was that the plant would he there as soon as the tunnel was ready! The Minister misjudged. and his lack of judgment is going to cost the country thousands of pounds through the delay and hold-up in r< gerd to the great volume of traffic waiting to pass through the hill. Sir William will thus make himself well-known for his miscarriage in judgment, which, also, was something akin to his negativing the South Westland railway, and then private enterpri-e stepped in. So 11 at altogether Westland did not have a vcr.v cordial friend in the ex-Minister, and the country now. as well as the district, is paying the piper. llmv“v<w. the Tfon Mr ('nates is endeavouring to

make amends. He at all events lost very little time in entering into a larjze contract for the supply of the electric plant, and: generally, it must he fairly admitted, did his host to the great w ork a heath Thcte is good muson for such activity. Until sides of the Island need the line, and tin* connection will make an enormous difference to the revenue of the New Zealand railways and help solve the problem of finance at affect in the &outh Island lines.

It was vi'iy pleasant to road vt*stt*rdav of tin* near approach of th«» Hiniu Hut drodj/e t*‘ actual operations. It is the

magnum opus in dredging ventures ill this country. There has been nothing like it before, si ml never before lias such it dredge hccu organised to testour roueh hut rich alluvial ground. The best of the dredges which operated previously were all too weak f or the task set them. The inherent weakness of the plant led M> costly breakdowns and expensive delays. These stoppages, the idleness when lh<*re was no chanto to earn anything. while other expenses went on all the time, resulted in failure. There is reason to believe that that expensive period of experience is past. Here, now, there is a, plant which has proved itself in other countries. That it will do so here, there is every reason to believe, for judging by results so far, -efficiency has been the keynote of the whole preparations. No one can hoard the. dredge without appreciating the thoroughness of the organisation of the plant. Complete as it all is, it is vet so simple in manipulation, and the working of the dredge here will he an object lesson in the special form of mining to he pursued. As to the gold-hearing character of Itimu Flat, its history lends to tlio belief that good ground is there to he treated. Alluvial piinjng was carried on the indi-

vidtial miner in years past, and later dredging recovered good returns for the _ [jiiantitj; of ground treated. Since then the present promoters have well , prospected the area, and must ho satisfied with the results, or such an expensice plant would never have been in- 1 stalled. Tf the quantity of dirt can he put through as is foreshadowed by the nature of the plant, the returns, v\e hope will he a pleasant surprise all round. tYe wish the venture the best ! ol luck in every way. I