OTIRA TUNNEL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18572, 26 November 1920, Page 4

OTIRA TUNNEL.

An article in our news columns this morning shows that grave delay in tho construction or the Otira tunnel is being caused by a shortage of cement. There are several reasons why this is deplorable. Not only is the completion of a great national work postponed, but tho employment of the whole of the staff is rendered less profitable than it would bo if supplies were forthcoming. In tho building of this tunnel it is necessary that the lining gangs should keep up fairly well with the excavators, because the timber work has to be shifted on from time to time. Then it must be remembered that the overhead expenditure is much the same whether the actual work of construction be continuous or subject to interruptions. The engineers on the spot have, wo feel sure, done all in their power to induce their superiors to keep the supply of cement going, and we believe the Department has been purchasing quantities in various directions. But'a concern like the Public Works Department should surely not carry on under a hand-to-mouth policy in regard to supplies of raw material. Tho Government ought to be able to do better than that. .Doing business as it does on a very large scale, it should be in a position cither to make its own cement or to nrrango for adequate supplies. It could charter a vessel and purchase in Australia, most probably, if cement is not to be obtained in New Zealand. The cost of freight would be far more than compensated by the saving that would foliow-continu-ous progress towards finishing the tunnel. We hope the Minister of Public Works will be made acquainted with the facts of the caso and that he will see that there is an immediate improvement in ( tho position. It cannot be too strongly represented that the cheapest thing for New Zealand in connection with this undertaking is to get it finished, so that the Midland Railway may take its right place among the revenueearning lines of the Dominion. Tho holding-up of such a work on account of insufficient and intermittent supplies of cement; suggests great shortsightedness somewhere near-the head of the Department.