TUNNEL OPENING.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1923, Page 2

TUNNEL OPENING.

.SATURDAY, AUGUST 4th. Air James O’Brien. A1.1’.. for Westland. last night wired to the Town Cierk of Greymoutli as- follows :— *• The Alinister of Public Work's informs mo that the opening of the Otirn Tunnel takes place on Saturday. August 4th. The Department can handle 404> passengers from the West Coast. As far as can he ascertained, a train will leave Ross at A. to a.in., on tho opening day. stopping at the stations to pick up passengers. A train leaves Reefton about 7 a.m.. .and connects with tin 1 Otirn. train at Stillwater. The Parliamentary party leave Wellington on the evening of August 3rd, returning by boat from I.vttolton on the evening of the opening day. Everything but the date is liable to alteration." DEVELOPMENTS AT TUNNEL. The now sialioi! at Otirn was yesterday evening utilised for the first time by the express train on her return run. '1 lie passengers were provided with foot-warmers, and these proved very acceptable after the cold coach journey. Eight “ L" waggons of limber and two trucks of sheep consigned to .Addington market for to-morrow's sale, yesterdav were set through the tunnel. The biggest train that has yet come through the tunnel arrived at Ultra yesterday from (. hristchurch. i .insisting of 'l3 “ L ” waggons, four “ L ”

waggons, and seven *■ I .B.” waggons The run through proved finite satisfactory. there being no hitch.

The big “ U. 0.” locomotive which has I ■■on brought to the Coast for the Otirn lino, had a trial ioiirnev to Otira yesterday, as a special, carrying a load of tons. The trial was quite a success. While leaving Otira. last night, the express ran into a i.-ottlder. which was caught beneath the cow'-etiteber. The driver at once pulled u)>. and got a crow-bar to work, removing the obstacle. AVF.STPORT SUGGESTION. WESTPORT. .Tulv 10. A movement is afoot in AA estport- io endeavour to induce the Parliamentarians, when cn route to tho Otira Tunnel official opening function, to come to the Coast via Blenheim, Nebon and West port. proceeding to Groynionth and Hokitika, and on to Otira. thus wjiuplcting a tour at Christchurch.