Canterbury Progress League.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1922, Page 3

Canterbury Progress League.

OTIRA TUNNEL. At the meeting of the Executive of the above at Christchurch, a further report was submitted by the organiser regarding the work on the Arthur’s pass tunnel. The report stated that although satisfactory progress was being made at both Arthur’s Pass and (Him, it was not nearly so marked as on the occasion of his visit two months ago. The weather had been somewhat unfavourable >of late, however, and rainfall had been exceptionally .severe. AA’ith regard to the Otira, the station yard, rail-laying. blasting, subway, platform, and power station building were all virtually completed, so also were the two reservoirs which would supply water to the station, while tho hulk of tho electric poles had been erected. Three boilers had been installed in the power station. A commencement had also been made on the ins*.-Rl a Lion of the second turbine and generator. The railway township, comprising 13 cottages, was advancing towards completion. At Arthur’s Pass the position was not nearly so striking. While the rail-laying and platelaying were virtually complete, a good deal of formation work on the platform and subway remained to he done. The railway bridge, too, had yet to he shifted. Steady progress, too, had been made with the girder bridge over the Henley, and this should he finished before the end of the month. A start was to he made with the erection of dwellings on a site already cleared, hut the number of houses had been reduced from 18 to eight. It was anticipated that the electrical work would he finished by the end of February, and the line should he open for traffic some time in April. A telegram was read from Mr D Evans, of the Westland Branch. It stated: "Reported some electrical parts Otira tunnel not yet cast. Dolaving opening. /In interest of trade I and commerce, if possible, please oh- ; tain announcement of date of opening.” | 1 Mr A. G. Henderson stated that the report seemed to suggest that the Government’s promise, to the effect that j the opening would bp at Faster, was : nr>t going to he fulfilled. He thought | that the League should urge ii|Kin the : Government the necessity for fulfilling j its promise because all the time the', tunnel remained unopened the interest j hill was running .up. The Chairman stated that evidently j some misunderstanding had arisen with I regard to the casting of electrical ap- i pliances which had occasioned the wire, above mentioned. The delay had evi- j dently arisen in connexion with the I electric automatic-signalling appliances j for the new lino, and it could he ap-j preeiated that tho difficulties which : laced the installation of this system would necessarily delay it. hut this | might not a Hurt the opening of the ; tunnel. The report was adopted, and it was j resolved to urge the Government to jleave no stone unturned to" have the I tunnel opened before the Easter holi- j if