OTIRA TUNNEL

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 July 1923, Page 2

OTIRA TUNNEL

‘ ONLY ONE TRAIN. (Special to “Star.”) WELLINGTON, July 25. The dissatisfaction which exists at Greymouth with regard to the arrangements in connection with the opening of the Otira Tunnel was referred to by Mr J. O’Brien in the House today. He said that the trouble was due to only one train being available, and he asked the Minister if another could not be run. Mr Coates replied that the matter had been very carefully gone into, and it was found not practicable to run another train through the tunnel. It was not reasonable to expect that two trains from Greymouth could be handled, as the train which should leave Greymouth at 8 for the tunnel would pass through to Arthur’s Pass and back again prior io the arrival of the train from Christchurch. With regard to the luncheon, there would be two hours and ten minutes at the tunnel for the opening function, and it was proposed to give the people sufficient time to have a cup of tea and sandwiches. Tie regretted very much that the people of Greymouth were , not satisfied, but it was impossible to ; satisfy everybody. The Department [ was anxious to get off the official open- > ing to have the line available for use. If there were two trains from Greyj mouth, there must be two from Christ- ! church. PROTESTS BY WESTPORT

The action of the Government in strictly limiting the number of persons who are to attend the opening of the Otira Tunnel is proving a source of dissension. Tim Westport people consider themselves harshly treated, and protests were made by members of the Buller Progress League at a meeting held on Tuesday evening. The President (Mr C. S. Beilby) occupied the chair. The Minister of Public . Works (lion. J. G. Coates) forwarded, at the instance of Mr. A. Taylor, Town Clerk, two invitations to attend the official opening. Canon Coursey said that so far as the invitation was concerned, the Government had given Westport a slap in the face. He thought a protest should be made for the dignity of the district. He did not know why Ross and Kumara had been resurrected for the invitations. He\ understood the invitations were to be on a population basis. The President stated the conference was most disappointing. It had nothing to put before the meeting. They were told there were to be 150 invitations on the Coast and 350 for Canterbury, to be issued on a population basis. The Traffic Manager said the maximum number that could be handled would be 350. Canon Coursey thought it was Mr. Keating, of Greymouth, who was to blame. He thought they should send to their member a protest against Greymouth’s allocation of tickets to ■Westport. The President: We should not take it lying down. Canon Coursey moved that this League enters its most indignant and emphatic protest against, the action of the gentleman who convened a conference in Greymouth in connection with the opening of the Otira tunnel, and had no business to place before it. The League also protests against the allocation of tickets which has been made at the instigation of the Celebration Committee of the West Coast, as Buller district has been most disgracefully treated in the matter.

The Secretary read a letter to Canterbury League on the subject dated March 23, and a letter, March 30, asking Greymouth what action it proposed to take. The President asked the League to dispose of the tickets. Members thought the League had been scandalously treated, as no tickets were originally sent to it, yet it was asked to send delegates to the conference. Mr. Taylor said no invitations were sent until a protest was made, ami then an extra six wore sent to Westport . Canon Coursey. The sooner we realise that we are up against Greymouth the better. Mr. Bryan,- Vice-President, declined one of the tickets. The. motion that the President, and Mr. Enright bo nominated, was carried .