HOMER TUNNEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22950, 31 January 1938, Page 14

HOMER TUNNEL

PEOGEESS OF WOEK BEAUTIFUL SCENIC DRIVE AUCKLANDER'S IMPRESSIONS An'eight-day motor tour of the cold lakes district in the South Island and journeys through beautiful bush-clad valleys and over some of the highest country in New Zealand, were among the experiences of Mr. E. E. Nalder, of Auckland, who returned recently. His travels included a visit to the Homer Tunnel, where lie talked with the workmen, who' include several selected men from the Wuihi mines. Leaving Braemar, in the Mackenzie Country, Mr. Nalder set out on his tour, which included the country round Lakes Tekapo, Pukaki and Wanaka, over the Crown Range to Queenstown. The journey to Kingstown was made over the recently-formed road of about 30 miles and the last railway point was touched at Mossburn. Unusual views were gained of the glorious Lake Manapouri, twice at sunset and once at early morning. One of the most beautiful scenic routes was that through the Kglington Valley, the road winding most of the way through native bush. Towering Olifl

"The Public Works Department camp, four miles from the Homer lunnev, and the road there, were in splendid order," said Mr. Nalder. "About three-quarters of a mile from the tunnel itself a gate has been erected at a spot which has apparently been selected to allow visitors to park their cars, and I understand as many as 1300 have been there in one day. On the right hand side as you approach tin; tunnel, you have the natural slope of the mountains, whereas on the left there is a sheer cliff extending thousands of feet high, and it is over this cliff that avalanches hate caused such damage. "As you approach the tunnel on the right hand side the slope ol the mountains is natural, but the vertical drop on the left side of the mountain must be about 3000 feet. It is the snow accumulating on the snow field on the top of this cliff that causes an avalanche to fall at the thaw. Some idea of the tremendous force of the fatal avalanche last year is provided by an incident during the catastrophe. A Dieselengined locomotive was lifted clear of its track by the vacuum created by the fall." Visit to Tunnel Face

The tunnel, when finished would be about 4000 feet in length, lie added, and at present the men were working about 700 feet inside. As far as could be ascertained the rate of progress was about 10 feet a day. Mr. Nalder said he was fortunate enought to bo taken into the tunnel right to tlie face where the miners were working and he declared emphatically that there was nothing of the proverbial "Government stroke" in the work. The noise created by the electric pumps and the compressor drills was deafening. The tunnel was being hewn out of solid rock and it is understood that except for the entrance and probably the exit thcro would be no need for concrete facing. Strenuous Work for Men

The tunnel when completed would have a fall of some 000 feet from the eastern end to the Miliord Sound end, which would come out about 1200 feet above the Sound. "1 had a chat with the miners, including some of the Waihi men, at 'crib' time, or lunch," said j\lr. Nalder, "and they seemed wonderfully happy and contented with their work,' though to my mind it was a maximum of hard work. Their nearest railway is 112 miles away, at Mossbum." which makes living near the tunnel rather expensive. "T think the result of the tunnel will he that a great number of tourists from the North Island will visit the district next year. While at Queenstown we came in touch with an Australian party who had been supplied with a driver by the Automobile Association (Auckland). They were eloquent in their praise of the scenic beauty and the courtesy tlicy had received from the various associations throughout their tour. The roads were well marked and were in good order considering they are practically all shingle. whole trip would greatly impress any North Island resident."