ARTHUR’S PASS TUNNEL

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1923, Page 3

ARTHUR’S PASS TUNNEL

WEST COAST CELEBRATIONS. DECISION OF DELEGATES. (Grey Argus). A local demonstration at the Railway station, and a gala day, m aid ui the Old People’s Home, were tlecid--1 cd on as Urey mouth's part in the openi mg celebrations of the Otira Tunnel, , at last night's meting of local bodies’ representatives, held in the hoiough . (.outicd Chambers, Greymouth. Those present were:—Messrs .1. I). Lynch (chairman), W. B. Gilbert, -M. Keating, M. J. Fogarty, D. J. Evans, T. W. I lit if, J. W. Green-lade, AY. R. Kettle and F. 11. Denton ‘I lie chairman said that on this occasion there were present two Hokitika delegates. Mr Evans could, no doubt, tell them something which they did hot already know, as he had just returned from Wellington. A telegram was read from Mr J. O'Brien. ALP. lie stated that less than half of the members of Parliament could make the journey. The .Minister had said that the declaring of the tunnel open for traffic was far more important than a celebration. A wire sent to Air Al. Keating ■.County Clerk) from the lion .1. G. Coates read: "The Government proposes inviting the chairmen of County Councils. editors of newspapers, -Mayors of Boroughs, chairmen of liarhour Boards. Mr Sice (Westport), Air T. E. A'. Seddon (Greymouth), and all members of both branches of the legislature. There will l.e available for the West Coast train approximately 26(1 further places. Can you supply a list that will absorb this numberlf so. please consult with the bodies mentioned in your telegram of the 14th inst., and supply a li-t of represeata live people promptly. Invitations will then he issued, the Government providing free rail transport. It is inadvisable to include too many ladies. Please telegraph definitely if you can undertake this.—J. G. Coates, .Minister of Railways.” Mr Evans said that Mr O'Brien'.telegram conveyed the information ■■ he had to give them. AI r O'llrien had pressed the .Minister to give a better turn-out at Otira, hut lie seemed to have quite made no hi- mind and said h did not want "Hag-wag-ging.'' lie did not think it was possible lor the members to come to the Coast, as was suggestc I, because they were limited as to time. The Canterbury Progress League intended to hold a banquet in Christchurch on the night of tlie opening. Mr Coates had told the speaker, lasi Friday, that, not many of the .Ministers could stay for this function. As regarded Hokitika, nothing definite had been done there They had intended to hold a banquet there ami to invite Al.P.'s, hut thiwas not now worth while, a- Canterbury was holding one. It was difficult to arouse interest among the people in i a function so far away. Now that : the epidemic of influenza was prova- i lent, he did not think it would he ad- : visable for the children to go In the opening. The weather, too, was too cold. Unless the committee had something tangible, they eotihl not do mitt'll. It seemed that tliev would simply have to lake their hit of lunch to Otira and call in at t I'.Mallcy’s. (Laughter). i

The Chairman: Where are tie, gentlemen (- At a dead end F Mr Evans -aid that he had suggested to Mr ( oates that the .Mayors and County Chairmen distribute the invitation- on a panulat ion basis. This -eenied to him I lie fairest it ay. Mr Gilbert: llow main are there

Mr Evans iThey'i" down to 200 now! When in Wellington one railway officer had stressed to him the fact that only ,'!6() people at the nio.-t could be taken.

Mr Kettle .-aid it seemed to him that the Government had deeided to sen 1

out a certain number ol invitations only. I lie coinmiLlve. however, should do something tu get the people a dm nee to s-'e this great work. Could they not endeavour In have the Government allow them take the people up the following week f There were u Dumber of old identities, wlpi should lie i alien lip t here. The Chairman: We telegraphed the Minister to that effect the other night. Mr Greeiislade thought they shotiM formulate some plan on the lines ol Air Evans’ suggestion. He would move that the Mayors and County Chairmen distribute the invitations no a population basis. Mr Evans seconded, and tiie motion was carried.

Air Evans explained that under this system an advertisement would he inserted in the papers, asking for applications for tickets. 'I lie applications could then bo balloted. The Chairman : What, about the local celebrations f .Mr Kettle asserted that they should have “some gigantic celebrations in Greymoutli." He would niave that the matter stand over until next week, so

as to allow Hokitika to hold a meeting, tie thought they should have a holiday weeiv, with excursion lures on the railways. This would allow people to come from Cliristchuicli. The Gland National Races would be on that week, too. The tares could he made its low a.s |: is.sible.

Mr Greeiislade thought Hokitika might link up with them. That would allow teem to have one big week, I coy could then arrange some sports, etc., in aid of the Old People's Home. .1 hi: would he a. good thing, he thought, nun

if tin- Hokitika people fell in with the idea, they might be able to pay Hokitika hack in kind later.

Mr Evans thought Monday would lu a good day for such celebrations. He thought they might organise a hi;-' football tourney.

Mr Greensslade moved that the matter he held over until they heard from the Hokitika people as to whether they are going to tall in with them. Mr Greeiislade said that one business man had said to him that ii the celebrations were to take the form ol a guilt day business people would close. Mr Keating thought they could get tiie Rugby l'iiion to put on a sevou-a-side tournament. Mr Evans thought they should lix a definite programme. They could arrange for the train Iroin Otira to sioo a. the station in the evening lor an hour or so and have some sp'vch-inak-Ho that Mr (». roiuos. M.P. for lluruinii. or perhaps Sir J. G. Ward could he asked to come over and make a few spec* ties. It was decided lhafc a local edebiation he held at the station on the arrival of the train from Otira on H'e opening aiul that - 1.0 uskod to attend. It was also decided that the RufiV t'nion and the IBS.A. be asked to arrange' a gala day in aid cl the Old People’s Home. _ , On the motion of Air Evans, it "as decided that the '...-rotary el the School Committee at Otira he written to asking for an estimate ot the cost ot entertaining the children ot that d.s-

11 'l t! was re.-olved that the Minister la written to. asking him to recognise the vork of the men at Otira m some was.