ELECTRIFICATION AT OTIRA.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1923, Page 4

ELECTRIFICATION AT OTIRA.

“A FIRST-GLASS .JOB.” COMMENT BY MR L. BIRKS. At the conclusion of the visit to the Otira tunnel oil Saturday in connection with the electrification works, the representative of “The Press” asked Mr L. Birks, chief electrical engineer to the New Zealand Government, his opinion as to the quality of the work being done. Mr Birks, who spent a great amount of time in investigating all the details of the work, replied: “I think it is a first-class job, and the progress made is very satisfactory.”

This statement was made nffei Mr Birks. accompanied by memhe's of the staff of the Public Works Department, and the English Electric Company, had ■inspected the wiring and other parts of the equinment in various parts ol the. tunnel. Mr Evan Parry and .Mrs Parry did not accompany the party on this return trip through the tunnel, as they wished to see the scenery of the Otira Gorge. On Saturday the party were again fortunate in having a line day. Otira has a very had reputation in the matter of weather, and it appears to he the prevailing belief that ‘he inhabitants are lucky if there are two : onset ulivo days without rain. Reference to the rainfall records at the local Pest Office showed, however, that Otira lui.vory often long spells of dry l eather, for example, in June, 1022. rain fell on only one day, the total raiutaH It: - jug din. In the following month also lain fell on only one day, the tm-'i fall living .Join, for the mouth. Thi'record of rain on only two days in two months in the middle of winter is sureD ail excellent one. r i his month has again seen a good dry spell at Otira. there having been no rain since April Pill. Tho altitude of the recording station is 12oolt. The Hoods in other parts of the country, according to om •resident, are due to the necessity cd keeping up the average rainfall tor the country, owing to the failure of Otira to do its part. However that may he. the visitors had the boneiit ot period weather throughout their stay. IN THE TUNNEL.

On the return trip through the tunnel. stops were made at various placet, enable Mr Birks to inspect the electrical equipment. The journey wa.s naturally much slower up the grade than i-L hint been on the down trip, and the stops gave tiie party a good opportunity of inspecting the interior of the tunnel. L.lec-trie light is not set available. and it was a mo.-t uncanny sensation to stand in the middle ol the tunnel with only the flickering light of lamps. Ear away could he seen ill each end of ihe tunnel glimpses ol daylight, and netasiouul points of light which indicated the, presence of work men engag'd in the final packing o: the sleeper.; along tile line. The rush of water, drowned bv the noise of tlu locomotive when in transit, was von apparent when the. party stopped foi inspection purposes, and it resembled the sound of a heavy downpour of rain mi a roof. Water streamed down tinside- of Ihe tunnel in some places. Mi Birks stated that the electrical equipment- was designed to deal with wet ci,miilion-, and oil examination of the wiring, it was found io he in very good order. The party spent over an hour in ihe tunnel, and, although it. was M ry cold, the work of inspection was found most interesting.

A GENERAL SURYEY. ! That the. works at Otira are far bigI ger in scone than the average person imagines was abundantly proved by the i inspections undertaken dining the visit of Mr Parry auid Mr Birks. All the Vat imis departments—the power lions, r the electric locomotives, the batteries tluo signalling plant, the overhead electrical work', the auxiliary plant, and . the tunnel work itself—require the constant care and attention of thoroughly expert sl-lifv. and w cry precaution must, be taken to ensure the perfect safety of passengers. As the pinner, of electrification work in New Zealand the Kngli-'h Electric Company is naturally determined to make the work at Utira a pronounced success. Ilia! attei trial under lull working conditions wdi he m.'.-tc before a single passenger itaken through the tunnel. Ibis necessity for taking every passible pi coalition may delay the opening of the la line! for a short tins?, but it will he agreed by most people that such a course is preferable to an early opening attended by risks to the safety o! passengers. While primarily the visit to (in: a was in connexion with the electrical installation. it revealed Die very high, quality of the work being done by the stall's ini' the Public Works Department. Tim tunnel, when complete, will '»■ a work of which New Zealand will have cause to lie proud.