The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, MARCH 8th, 1923. THE TUNNEL CELEBRATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, MARCH Bth, 1923. THE TUNNEL CELEBRATION.

TrtF, authorities are considering the question of celebrating the opening of the Midland railway for through traffic. The event marks the bringing into practical utility of the largest railway tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere. That alone suggests a notable occasion practically of Dominion importance. To t-lie West Coasters it denotes the reunion with Canterbury with which in years gone by wo were allied. The prodigal, as it weie, is to return. That also suggests an occasion for a general family gathering as it were. It is also a fact that one of the contrTbuting factors to the completion of the work was the enthusiastic support and influence of our Canterbury friends in regard to the agitation, first for the initial beginning of the line, and later for flic revived agitation nen:!y twenty years ago. to complete the through line. It is almost a score of years since the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was induced by the West Coast Railway League to take an active part in the request for the work. Out of that agitation grew the decision of the Government in regard to piercing the Alps, and later th© acceptance of a contract to construct the tunnel. But

it was not all plain sailing yet, for the contract was not a success, it was not carried to conclusion and the work fell back upon the Government. Then began tile renewed agitation for speeding up the completion, and the Canterbury Progress League which came into being, took u]i the task wholeheartedly. The League has been tireless in its activities regarding the work, which had first place in its attention. There have been many deputations, much oratory, and sheaves of letters written with newspaper articles galore, to urge the completion of the work. It is almost finished and the suggestion for a celebration has been made. It is likely to lx? close at hand probably within six or eight weeks’ time. The occasion which called for such sustained effort is surely worth celebrating well. To the Coast it has been predicted with undisputed assertion, the railway will create a new era. Through the portal of the tunnel will flow such prosjieritv and give the Coast such opportunity for expansion that a period of marked progress is ahead of the district. The railway will afford facilities for trade, traffic and transport, at once and for ever removing the old cry of isolation. Linked with the railway systems of the South Island arid serving the deep sea. harbors of the East Coast, the railway will provide an outlet for energy and enterprise on tlie part oi the people limited only to their own desire to succeed. Theirs will lie the opportunity—if so disposed to use it—and no doubt they will. The tunnel celebration it is proposed, subject to Ministerial sanction will bo at Otira in the Westland district. There is the suggestion for a "big day” to be followed by a children's day. Ti is very pleasing to see that the pioneers, many of whom value over the mountain i'fistnesses, are not being overlooked, and that the workmen who rendered th great work possible by their labor, are not forgotten. The function is sure to be a great turn. out. There will be a gathering from all parts of the Dominion, and perhaps from overseas. The West Coast will be honored by many distinguished visitors and t' e people should be prepared to rise to the occasion and recognise it in that very worthy way, so great an event in our history- -actually the greatest event of all—calls for.