OTIRA’S PROSPECTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 May 1922, Page 8

OTIRA’S PROSPECTS

1 — 1 — SIR HENDERSON INTERVIEWED. Mr A. U. Henderson, Chairman of the Canteroury I'rogress Eeague, who recently attended the Winter frcnoul at Hokitiaa, is spending a few days in Greyinouth. Asked lor his impressions of his visit of inspection at Otira, Jh' Henderson said that he saw no reason why the tunnel should not be ready for the Christmas traffic. The work generally was well forward, and,

indeed, he thought that if an extra ’ push were necessary the tunnel could 1 be made available for traffic by’ November 1. Unless unexpected delays occurred .in the delivery of machinery, the tunnel should certainly' be open within six months. Delivery- of the machinery was well forward. He noticed at Arthur’s Pass that some of the 1001 b rails were badly warped, due. to mis-handling. As for the probable results to the West Coast from the direct railwaytraffic facilities, Mr Henderson preferred to make no statement meanwhile, except that he could see little sign of preparation to provide the necessary-first-class hotel accommodation the increased tourist traffic would demand. The traffic would split at Greymouth, some for the South, and some for the North and Nelson districts. It was very desirable that adequate hotel accommodation should be available, if the full benefits were to be obtained from the tourist traffic. His present visit to Greymouth Lad renewed the impressions ho formed when here about 15 months ago, that the Otira tunnel would mean a re-birth of the Coast, but many in the district apparently failed to realise the possibilities and to prepare for these. He had seen signs of progress, particularly in the dairying, and profiting by experience, the district farmers. were using more limo and sowing better pasturage. At the recent Winter School, farmers had shown a real interest in the lectures . and talks by the agricultural experts .present. There could be no doubt about the success of the Winter School, and Greymouth should endeavour to secure the holding of next year’s school in its district. On hi s return trip, Mr Henderson will make a further inspection of the Otira works, and will probably make a statement on his return to Christchurch.