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Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1922, Page 2

Coasters take a great interest in the progress of the Arthur’s (Pass 'timhel, and when last week a bio'ck occurred bn the coach road, and passengers had to proceed through the tunnel, the occasion proved of special interest to the travellers who were able to make an intimate inspection of the works. Travelling through the tunnel one is much impressed with the magnitude of the work itself, and cannot but admire the splendid work of the engineers in planning so successfully and carryin out so satisfactorily the task of piercing the Southern Alps. The tunnel is a straight line over five miles in lengtli, and the actual tunnelling appears to have been completed and finished off in first class workman style. At present the heavy rails for the electric traction are. being laid, and the reticulation line for the electric power are being placed ih the tunnel, The route at present is partially light' l ' 1 by the workmen’s line, hut this is only of a temporary character. Still it is ample to lighten the darkness of travellers through the tunnel, who flow travel on the Public Works trucks, which are drawn by ah electric motor. Under normal conditions this run is done in good time. On a boisterous wet day, the tunnel conditions are warmer than the outside, while on a bright sunny day, the temperature within the tunnel is much cooler, Travelling conditions through the tunnel in summer and winter will thus be very pleasant. The rail journey is now conw plete. there being no break in the centre through unjoined rails, The air is clear and pleasant, and the conditions of travelling even on the improvised trucks are not unpleasant-. It is an interesting experience in fact, evidencing that the hopes and anticipations in regard to quick, easy traffic throng’’ the tuiiel are how witliili a measurable distance of being accomplished.

As to the time when through communication will be possible with railway rolling stock, opinions greatly differ. One estimate from a reliable source is that the tunel works will not be fully completed for another eighteen months or two years. This, however, should not prevent the Public Works Department running a pasonger service through the tunnel before the end of the year, the approximate time fixed by Hon. Coates, Minister of Public Works, The work within the tunnel is being hurried up now, and that likely to take the most time is the ballasting of the line. The line is to be ballasted with finely crushed stone, and machinery for crushing the stone is now operating. Outside the tunnel at. both ends there is a- very a very large amount of work to be done, and it would lie difficult to estimate the duration of this portion. The main work is the power house at Otira end, which is still far from completed. Another element governing the operating time is the arrival of the machinery, the bulk of which is believed to be on the water. The motor engines for working the tunnel line are due shortly, and are to be assembled at Addington, where the work should be done with celerity. There are no outward signs of extra pressure to finish the job quickly, but it believed when Mr Coates, <- ccompanied by Mr Furkert, pays a special visit to the tunnel works in a few days, the speeding up will follow. It is not unlikely Mr Coates will desire to have an official opening of the through line before next general election which in the ordinary course will be held in December. There is a great desire in Canterbury 'that, the 'line should be in operation by the Ist November so ns to serve this year’s Canterbury carnival. Both these factors will play a- part in hastening of the works and give confidence in the belief that before the end of the year the line will be in regular operation.