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Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1923, Page 2

Tiiosk interested in the celebration to inaik the opening of the Arthur’s Pass tunnel for passenger traffic are perturbed naturally in respect to the restricted programme indicated by the Government to feature the occasion. Certain factors, however, have necessitated a degree of restriction which under more elastic circumstances would ■not have obtained. However, as the Government- exercises control, the official wishes have to be respected. It is not possible- to arrange for a massed gathering at the Otira, and the guests will therefore be limited in number. It will ho largely an official party of representative folk, and the general public will require to cater for themselves when opportunity selves later if they are to inspect the big work in mass. The idea of a gathering on the Coast at a central point is a fitting one, and the proposal to meet at Greymouth on the day in question, and hear addresses by some of tlio distinguished people who will come through in the first passenger train, is’- a commendable one. It is for Groymouth to arrange the celebration on lines of distinctive popularity, which will mark the important occasion of the final stage in the carrying out of the largest public work yet undertaken in New Zealand.

It is interesting to recall the successive staocs of the Midland railway construction. The first sod was turned at Stillwater; the first section of the line was opened at Jackson; the first shot of the tunnel works was fired at Rolleston entrance to the tunnel; the last shot was fired from the Arthur’s Pass entrance to tile tunnel; and now at Otira, in Westland, comes the final opening ceremony, with a complements rv gathering at Greyinouth to mark tile arrival of the first through passenger train. The chronicling of these events carry the mind back over a long term of years, and it can be realised how long drawn out the construction of the work'has been. But through it all the people have been patietnt and hopeful. The vicissitudes of the construction have been many and various. The inability of the. original Midland Company to carry through the contract was the first set. back, followed by the dreary process of litigation before No"’ Zealand was clear of the company, and the debenture holders. Then came the tunnel contract, with its delays, the labor difficulties, and the abandonment of the contract by the syndicate which had it in hand. Last stago of all was the protracted period of Government control in finishing the job, with the impost of the war period and conditions in between.

There passed away this week, Sir William Fraser, .a prominent member of the Reform Government. His share in the completion works of the tunnel is probably not known widely. In the face of considerable opposition, both within Cabinet and within the Reform party (for Auckland members made a dead set against the line) Sir William Fraser us Minister of Public Works, and executive officer controlling the work, had a difficult task to carry through. Nor was he singular in this respect. Before the Reform Government came into power, the previous Government of which Sir Joseph Ward was the head, had to encounter a similar measure of hostility to the national work. But the task of Sir William Fraser was the hard one, because his period of control was over the war tiine, when economy and curtailment were called for on all sides. It is due to Sir William to say that he held to

tho task of finishing the tunnel, and despite the'exigencies of the occasion, tho work nevor stopped. About five years ago Sir William had the honor nud the pleasure of firing the last shot, and that event assured the ultimate completion of tho through line. The consummation of West Coast wishes in the matter has been long in realisation, but the final happy ending is at hand, almost, and the district is sure to rejoice exceedingly that patience has been rewarded and a new ora for the Coast is opening.