OTIRA TUNNEL.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17401, 11 March 1922, Page 10

OTIRA TUNNEL.

"EAGER TO FINISH THE JOB."

NO DEFINITE DATE FOE OITIOIAL OPENING.

I (SPECIAL 10 "fBB «UM."} GREYMOUTH, March 10. The Hon. J. G, Coatw, Minirter of Public Works, was interviewed {<>• night by Mr Gibbons (president of Otira Tunnel Workers' Union), fftiO directed his attention to grievances it respect to the married men's quartttt. The chief engineer (Mr Furkert) said that the work of the specific work* men mentioned was temporary, #na ttf« job would probably be finished mtnio a month, , "The power-house won t be flniijiw before twelve months," said Mr Gibbons* ii_ i ji ji. "Make no mistake about that, <i£ clared Mr Coates. "If the work » not put through as quickly as po*siwe, I wul clear out the lot of you. Mr J. Steer, on behalf of the W?* mouth Chamber of Commerce, P the official opening of the tunnel earn ►in €Ubober, tJaat month being ,D 0 most suitable for the Coast. The Minister replied that the bt he had promised regarding the officii opening of the tunnel tvaa the end ■ the vcar. There was a mactiinery on the water, and the co • tractors were pettine the work ready. They did .not Anticipate any delay, but he would give noi m nite date, in case of later d lßft PP° . ment. All concerned were e°S er .. get the job finished as early a j» sible, and the contractors a to show what they could do.