THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1918, Page 4

THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

A HISTORICAL EVENT.

OFFICIAL JOINING OF ENDu

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Christehurch, August 21. A party of about 300 left by special train for Arthur's Pass this morning to assist at the ceremony of the meeting of the headings of the Otira tunnel. The party included Sir James Allen, Sir William Fraser, the Hon. G. W. Russell, aud 20 members of Parliament.

Wellington, August 21. Splendid weather favored the official ceremony of opening the Otira tunnel today at the Arthur's Pass railway terminus. Three hundred Canterbury and half as many West Coast people, including members of Parliament and local bodies from all parts of the provinces, arrived in trains and. cars. The tunnel mouth at the Canterbury end was heflagged, and a largo crowd gathered to witness the firing of a shot which signified that the headings were pierced. This was a polite Action, as tihe connection was made some time ago. Speeches were nlade by SirCJamea Allen, theHons.SirW.Fraserand G.W. Russell, Mr. Holland (Mayor of Christchurch), and Mr. Hewlett (Canterbury Chamber of Commerce). Mr. Holland said the Tunnel League hoped to see the trains running in four years. Christehurch, Last Night.

i Fine weather was experienced to-day for the function at Arthur'a Pass in connection with the firing of the shot and breaking down the headings of the Arthur's Pass tunnel. The visitors from Christehurch numbered 290, ineludingthe Acting-Prime Minister, Sir W. Fraser, Mr. G. W. Russell, the Mayor, Mrs, R. J. Seddon and two daughters, and repre. sentative men of Canterbury. About 1140 representative men of the West I Coast joined at Arthur's Pass.

Sir W. Fraser, at 2.30 p.m., from the Bealey mouth of the tunnel, electrically fired a shot one mile and a-half in the tunnel, breaking down the headings, and the band played the National Anthem.

Sir W. Fraser apologised for the absence of the Hon. W. H. Hemes, and, speaking for himself, and he believed the Cabinet would agree, said he looked upon the work as one of Dominion importance. The pass was discovered in 1864 by Arthur Dudley Dobson, who he was pleased to see present. He read a. telegram of congratulation from Mrs. Hay, widow of Mr. Hay, the engineer-in-chief, who was connected with the work. After referring to the history of the railway and tunnel, the Minister, alluding to those who had worked for the railway, mentioned Mr. Seddon, and said 3ie was pleased to see representatives of the family present. Kegarjing the completion, he said that mosey would only be available for public works after the war. The requirements to be met and the completion would depend on how long the war lasted. He sincerely hoped that if circumstances were favorable, it would be completed in two or two and a-kalf years, but the only pledge he could give was that he would do all he could to see the work finished as early as possible. He complimented the engineers on the accuracy or their work, and called for three cheers for the engineer, his staff, and the workmen. Sir James Allen conveyed the congratulations of the Prime Minister and the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald (who telegraphed Sir Joseph Ward's congratulations) on the progress of the work. His interest in the line, as Minister of Defence, was on aciount of Its strategic importance, and, from that viewpoint the line was perhaps the most valuable in the Dominion. For defence purposes the line was of enormous value, and if it had been completed it would have been much appreciated now, owing to the coal shortage. The line would be not only beneficial to Canterbury and the West Coast, but to the whole of New Zealand.

Mr Russell said he took off Ma hat to Sir William Fraser for the persißtent way in which he had insisted on the work being carried through, despite immense pressure from one part of the Dominion that wanted expenditure on a line that had been stopped. He thought Canterbury should erect a statue to Sir William Fraser when the line was completed. He referred to the pleasure it would have given Mr. Tom Seddon, M.P., to be present, and Sir W. Fraser called for cheers for Mr. Tom Seddon. Referring to the resources of the Coast, Mr. Russell said that possibly the quartz,,the origin of the alluvial gold, would be ultimately discovered.

Mr. Holland, Mayor of Christchurch, spoke as to the advantages of the line to botlii coasts.

Mr. Lynch (Greymouth) expressed the desire of the Coast to get closer connection with Canterbury, and referred to the economies that would be effected, especially in regard to coal, when the line was completed. Mrs. Seddon thanked the gathering for remembering "Tom," which, touched her very much. Mr. Hewlett, president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, said the advantages of the; line appealed to anyone with commercial instinets, especially at a time like the present, when the shortage of shipping was interfering so much with the Dominion's trade. The Hon. J. Grlmmond said the west Coast joined with Canterbury and the whole Dominion in an expression of approval of the work. He had been connected with the agitation for 40 years, and hoped to live to see the railway completed. Cheers were given by Canterbury for the West Coast and vice versa, and cheers for Sir William Fraser ended tw ceremony.