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Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1923, Page 2

Tiik Government does not intend t<> provide any special revelry to mark the opening of the 1 Arthur’s Pass tunnel. Important as the event is in a national way, it falls at an unseasonable time of the year for out of door frolics, and in the middle of a Parliamentary session which will soon he on tln> rush to let the Prime Minister ii.whv to London. Resides, the Minister of Public Works is nothing if not inteiiselv practical. Re lias the reputation for directness, and he is shaping the opening of the tunnel ill a very direct way with the object of bringing it into use at the shortest notice possible. So it is arranged that the official party front Wellington will rnsli south by the terry steamer to Lyttelton and there take special train to the scene of operations. A brief two hours from the time ol arrival at Arthur’s Pass to the hour of departure, is to suffice for the formal opening, the trip to Otira and back, and the How of eloquence front all the magnates who will lie present. It- is conceivable that it a ill he a tush job.” not in keeping perhaps with the progress of the tunnel works when under way, but perhaps as a sign of the times, of the altered change* to bo brought- about by the facility for through traffic which the. tunnel will afford in the celerity with which transport will le possible after tin, 4lb. prox.

Just at present travellers report Arthur's Pass is a picture of wintry boimtq. The whole of the Pass is covered by a mantle ol snow. It is all very beautiful as a. picture of nature's handiwork- hut intensely cold. There is a nariow pathway for passengers from the railway carriages to the haven of the nearest- shelter. Otherwise die pedestrian has to plod through the snow, which is slushy and uncomfortable. Ihe coach teams at- present plod wearily over the mountain pass, w ith the wheels chained on the stee| ei declivities. The atmosphere is sharp, and very keen if a mountain wind |,o blowing. AVith colds prevalent and influenza in the air, it is not a very congenial atmosphere to bask lit for any length of time listening to the outcry of the folk from Wellington. For that- reason it is well that Hon ('nates has reduced the opening ccieineny to the briefest span. It is conceivable that the pleasantest portion ol the outing xvill he in the tunnel itself, remote from the mountain air If the day should tie wet. it will le I.leak indeed, and it seems altogether a foitunate eiiciimstaiKe that the<orcmoiiy is being so j lanited as to entail as little exposure as possible upon those who will he called upon as a matter of duty to he present and participate in the national liinetioii undei th(> wintry surroundings.

Am. the same, the occasion must not be ignored, and least- ol all can the Coast ignoie the event. The opening of tlie tunnel bus lieett waited loi foi long. At last hopes are t'o he realised and wishes gratified, so there must he room for an ebullition of joy. In view of the mild epidemic prevalent- it is well that t.he children’s day is to l-o postponed sine die. However interesting it would lie to let the young generation free on the great- fields ol snow, it is certain they would not he content till they were wet through at a good game of Know-hailing, but- they would lie a long way from homo, and doubtless tlieic* would be many eases of incipient pneumonia started. So the children must perforce wait for it mote leasonably seasonaine period. Ihe adults who attend should do sit piepared to face a somewhat rigorous climate, hut a representative gathering of the people should attend, and they might well devote their energies in appreciating the task of the workmen (Vho have lived so long in the exacting climate. The recognition of the workers is certainly a duty to discharge, and in that- connection those who have been controlling tne coach traffic over the hill for so long should likewise be not forgotten on the occasion which marks the supplanting of the faithful ..oise by the more powerful iron steed.