HOMER TUNNEL WORKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 June 1937, Page 14

HOMER TUNNEL WORKS

FURTHER INQUIRY PROPOSED

[per press association.] DUNEDIN, June 1. The recent, cessation of work at the Homer Tunnel and the transfer of the men has given rise to some speculation whether the undertaking will ever be completed, or whether it would not be desirable to seek an alternative route to Milford Sound. A further alternative put forward is that work should be started from the West Coast side of the tunnel thus giving better facilities for draining the water away and making the haulage of debris easier than is possible up the present grade of one in ten. It. is two years since work was begun on the tunnel, and the magnitude of the unexpected problems that have had to be faced can be gauged from the fact that it was originally estimated that the project would be completed in 27 months. With 24 of the 27 months already gone, the tunnel has been driven no more than 500 feet of a total distance of 3960 feet, or approximately three-quarters of a mille.

While Milford Sound Road is of particular interest to Otago and Southland, it has a general interest for the whole Dominion, inasmuch as the taxpayers as a whole must bear .the cost. The original estimate of the cost of the road was about £225,000, which included £70,000 for the tunnel, but it is possible that the latter figure has been aireddy' exceeded. In view of the whole situation, it would appear to be advantageous that a full inquiry should be made into the scheme, and that a report should be furnished to the Minister of Public Works, which could bo released for the enlightenment of the taxpayer. Should the Government intend embarking on any alternative proposal, the country is entitled to be similarly informed and given some idea of the cost and duration of the work.