OTIRA TUNNEL

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1933, Page 2

OTIRA TUNNEL

TRAFFIC FIGURES

.RISE OF OVER 10,000 TONS, An increase of over 10,000 tons in the haulage of coal and timber through the Otira tunnel from the West Coast into Canterbury is recorded; for 1932, compared with 1931. It is stated to he due mainly to the cessation of the Railway Department's special economy campaign during 1931 and the purchase of railway coal to replenish depleted stocks. The tunnel has now been open for nine years and four months, and during the year just ended the haulage accounted for 456,079 tons ,as compared with 445,232 tons of freight dealt with' the previous year.

It will be seen that 1930 was the peak year, with the preceding year next. There has been no increase in the carriage, of timber, most of the white pine consigned to Australia for manufacture into butter boxes having gone direct by steamer. This • year s increase of 10,847 tons, therefore, is accounted for by heavier freights of coal coming into Canterbury. -

MONTHS* TOTALS. The monthly totals for 1932 and 1931 are as follows : — 1932. 1931. Tons. Tons. January ... 37,621 31,338 February ... 45,767 34,375 March ... 37,895 40,626 April ... 38,565 33,859 May ... 40,594 37,566 June ... 36,963 49,369 July ... 40,217 50,637 August ... 39,233 44,349 September ... ... 39,201 42,341 October ... 36,237 38,236 November ... 32,793 24,010 December ... ... 30,993 23,526 Totals ... 456,079 ■ 445,232 yearly totals. The yearly totals since the tunnel was opened have been:— . Increase. Tons. Tons. 1923 (4 months, • 27 days 88,171 • , 1924 302,044 —: 1923 '354,867. 52,823 1926 421,936 67,039 1927 - ...•' . .. 449,996' 28,090 • 1928 536,568 86,572 1929 ’ ' 579,3}6 42,7.-18 - 1930; 619,999 40,683 . r t * . Decrease. 1931 . 445,232 174,.767 . Increase; 1932 , 456,079 .10,847 . Total 4,254,178 .