THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18411, 18 May 1920, Page 5

THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

Several questions concerning the interests of Canterbury were brought under the notice of the HOll J. GCoates, Minister of Public Works, by Mi’ P. R. Climie, organiser of the Canterbury Progress League. One of the matters discussed was the Otira tunnel, which Mr Coates stated was receiving every attention by tho Department. The men were now working with increased vigour at Otira under tho contract system, and it is fully expected that the tunnel will be completed within eighteen months. When asked as to whether any delay would occur in the running of the trains alter the tunnel was completed, owing to the electrical plant not being ready, the Minister said that it was the hope of the Department to have both tumid and plant completed together. It was very difficult at this stage to estimate the time of completion with any degree of accuracy, as so many factors entered into the question.