OTIRA TUNNEL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17807, 5 July 1923, Page 8

OTIRA TUNNEL.

- —-* —- - THE OFFICIAL OPENING. DINNER TO BB HELD. ; The Canterbury Progress Leagwi* last night decided to hold a public dinner in Ohristchurcli on the evening o|f' ih» day whereon the Otira tunnel iitbfficially opened.

The president, Mr W. K, MacHtpiae, said that no definite date had;; been notified for the official opening of the Arthur's Pass tunnel, but the Dftptajttee might in the meantime set .Vktrat making arrangements for a proper;ceremony. I Mr P. E. dimie said it was ed that a public dinner should beffeeld in Chrißtchuroh in the evening asi part of the celebrations. The fanctijiin at Otira would be a Government function, and there would be little timti' for speeches. The idea, therefore;! was that a dinner should be held in town in the eveniag. jj - Mr G. H. Judd said the W«it!and people wanted an evening functM^n. Mr Climie said the Westiand people would come on to Christchureii ia the evening to attend the dinner. , The Government function would tike 'place on a Saturday, hut he had recercjsd no official information as to what [date would be fixed. ' i Mr J. H. Black well said the libagu« should see to it that a proper celebration was arranged for. He tjnder* stood that the Emergency Corni»itt«e recommended the dinner. The funnel business was one of the main activities of the League, and the completion, and success of the efforts made mould receive an adequate eelebratioit.

Mr W. M. Tyers said the idea »jrf the Emergency Committee was that! th© dinner should be given under thii auspices of the Progress League. '-'■ Certain guests would be invited, b'kt all others would pay. Spectators' j Beats might also bo sold. » : Mr T. Avßlaekley said that s> Saturday night would not suit the South Canterbury people, for the traiitsport arrangements would be difficult, if a special train could be run as i>r as Timaru a large delegation would I come from South Canterbury Mr Olimie said the Government would no doubt put on a special train if the passenger traffic was thers. Mr A. Manhire said the Ashlmrton and Timaru people should arrange for a special train themselves. ; Mr Mac Alpine said>tliat a dinner for 200 should be large enough. It was decided, on the motion cf Mr Blackwcll, to arrange for a dinner on the evening of the official opening of the tunnel, the details to bp left to the Emergency Committee.