THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 8 May 1913, Page 7

THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

West Coasters and Canterbury .folk are rejoicing in good news of the Otira tunnel. A despatch to the Christchiiroh Press from its Greymouth correspondent- stated: ''The necessity of accelerating the service to and frojß Christ-church has been prominently before the public of late, and the demand for quicker transport lias not failed to impress Ministers of the Grown. The Hon. W. Fraser is one, for instance, who recognises the justice of the demand made by West Coasters. He recognises that the people in tins district are under a. considerable disadvantage through their isolation caused by the immense barrier of mountains, and long for better and quicker communication He steted that it would not be long before they got it—probably a fenyears would see the arduous and costly undertaking of the Otira tunnel completed. The mandate of Parliament to him had been to call tenders again and get the 'hole in the hill' finished. . Such an opportunity would be afforded contractors, and .plans and specifications with that en<} in view were now in course of preparation. Personally, lie was not too sanguine about receiving a tender which would be near the mark, but this wuld not stop the work. The Government were determined that it must go on, and he had every intention. of seeing the line thrugh. The expenditure on ,both sides of the Alps had been so heavy that the tli rouuli connection must be. completed, if only to get a return of 1 per cent, on the outlav."