THE TUNNEL OPENING

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1923, Page 1

THE TUNNEL OPENING

LOCAL BODIES CONFER. A meeting convened by the Westhind Branch of the Canterbury Progress League was held at the County Chambers nt 7.J0 o’clock last evening to consider the question of celebrating the opening of the Arthur's Pass tunnel. There were present:—Dr Teiebelmann (President of the Branch), Messrs Deny (Mayor), If. AT. C'oulson (Deputy .Mayor), T. \Y. Duff (County Chairman - ' A. A. Andie’.vs (Town Clerk'. D. J Evans (Outfit;.- Clerk,. R. Wild (Secretary to the Harbor Board), J). Tellie, J. Jarman (President and Secretary to the A. and P. Association). AY. Jeffries and J. A. Murdoch (Westland County Council), .T. Morris. "IW, Bruce. W. f). Mack-ay. A. (L l*ilkington (Progress League). J. Niven (Beautifying Society). The Chairman (Dr. Toichelmami) explained the object of the meeting, which was to decide what might ho done in the matter of celebrating !ocnhllv the opening of the East and West Coast through railway. A draft proposal for the celebration was put lorwa.nl tor the consideration of the meeting. .Mr Wild asked Air Evans to explain what had been done at the League meeting. Air Evans said the proposals ■ eure the meeting covered the ideas put iorward at the late l eague meeting. Air Perry asked: Why celebrate at all ? Mr Evans .-aid they had worked -o lung for the completion of the work that it -seemed hut light so notable an event in their history should he celebrated. Ho moved that the meeting affirm the proposal to mark the importance to the district oi the opening of the tunnel. All' C'oulson seconded the motion, strongly supporting same. Mr Wild also supported. The motion was carried. Ale Perry dissenting.

The question of providing for a childrens' excursion was approved. H was resolved to communicate with the District Traffic .Manager as to a suitable date anil cost for ait excursion serving the children of the llokitika-Itoss-Kumara district, together with the teachers, committees, and a. limited number of adults. Air Dull moved the motion which was seconded by Mr .J. ll'rics and generally supported.

It was suggested that the train should pass through the tunnel and after a brief stay at Arthur’s Pass, return to Otira. where hot water etc., fie supplied for a picnic lunch; the Otira School Committee to be asked to take charge of local arrangements, and the function to he tiold after 'ho Railway Department takes over the 'Tunnel running. Alt' Bruce rat-cd the question of defraying the cost. Alter discussion it was resolved to defer consideration until an estimate of the laics was to Hand.

With regard to further action. AltWild .tuggesled that a Tunnel Day be held (luting the period of the Exhibition.

Air Perry favored that proposal, as lie was not to sympathy with a spe f ‘i d day imu . lie was in sympathy with tlie children.-' day.

Air Rime thought something should Is: done now. So P'l. the only celebration that had taken place was that for which thy Government paid. The

w li-'l,’. uf AAY-lJand should part ii ip,He line . 'l lie people wen- expecting -one public celebration. Mr Wild said the Canterbury League had celebrated the neca-ion at Christchurch.

Air Jeffries hoped the nicotine would lie unanimous, lie rewarded the matter tmm a dilfc-reut point of view to Dial: of Messrs Perry and Wild. In the past the Cnnlerhiirv League had lent .splendid support to the district and lie fell that that influential help should he recognised. Alt- Kvaits explained that the open air gathering now siiggcMcd need not 00-t. the local bodies any money. 'I he visitors would requite later in the daily h 0 entertained, hut the presence ol .Ministers would he serviceable to the district, and there would be advantages to he derived.

Air Pilhimitoii enquired whether tin pr !; po‘-al would inierf'-re with tin- I'.x----h ii.il ion e-clel,ra t ions.

Air Duff supported the idea of holding a eehjiiration on the lines which

sad been outlined. All .le.'fi'ies moved that an invitation no extended to tin- Acting-Prime Min,.uv, Minister of Hailv.ays ami Pubtp. Works *'t*'.. to at tend and address an open air function on Cass Square, mi .ome convenient ulterno u to visitlnw '.Mini-tors when an opportunity | 1( . a (forded to Westland to thank (hovoriunent mid all who iis-isted (partieui,lll v Caiiterhury) in hastening completion of the i ail way connection cast and west.

Air Huff seconded the proposition and endorsed the scheme as oui lined. Air Wild moved an amendment that .he Alinister of Public Works he asked to name a suitable date tor a vi-it

~ the lii-tri: t to attend the suggested uueuoe. Mr Perry seconded. It was mrc-cd to extend the invitation to •her AtinMors. The ameudmenf was

The motion moved by Mr Jeffries was then put. and carried. Proposals for further additions to tut* programme u> hold a dinner and hall, -wore deferred to tin* next meeting to he held when a reply is received, from the Hist tint Traffic Manager in rosinrd to tlio Sflinnl.-* excursion. The Chairman. Messrs Jeffries, Coulson. Evans and Morris were appointed a sub-committee to report m regard to details involved in an extended prng:amine for tlio spec!. day on Cass Sjunvo. , The imaeting eoneln-.led at