OTIRA TUNNEL

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1928, Page 1

OTIRA TUNNEL

RECORD TRAFFIC IN 1927. 449,990 TONS OF GOODS. Every year since the Otira Tunnel was opened lor traffic on August 4th. 1923. there lias been a substantial increase in the volume of goods carried b.v rail from the AA’est Coast and tlie figures for the east-bound freight for tho twelve months now reach nearly half a millions tons. In 1927 the total was 119,993 tons, as compared with 421,900 tons in 1920, 354,807 tons in 1925. 302.014 tons in 1924, and 88.171 foils in H 123 (four months and 27 days). The grand total is thus 1,616.984 tons.

The year just ended was probably the best experienced in the matter of freedom from interruption to the line and from prolonged and serious stoppages in the principal mines. The Dobson mine, which was closed down as a result of the disastrous explosion, was reopened during the year, and is now producing considerable quantities of coal.

West. Coast sawmills, however, have not yet recovered from the serious timber slum]) which caused so many to close down., but the prospects for the ensuing year are very much brighter. The effect of shipping at Greymouth on the quantity of goods offering for transport by rail is closely watched by the Departmental officers, who state that flic competition of electricity with coal is making itself apparent in a he's of freights. Approximately one-third of the total must he deducted to cover iv.Minir stock when computing the actual weight of the goods carried. No figures are available for the tratfic frorm east to west, but it is known that the volume of goods is increasing steadily, and last year’s total partieularly just before Christmas, indicated that Christchurch merchants were establishing an improved connexion with the West Coast.