WILTSHIRE WRECK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11254, 5 July 1922, Page 5

WILTSHIRE WRECK

QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT VALUABLE MACHINERY FOR OTIRA TUNNEL. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. Mr T. E. V. Seddon, M.P. for Westland, referred in the House of Representatives yesterday to the published statements', that machinery intended for the Otira tunnel works luid hoen lost in the wreck of the Wiltshire, oil the Great Barrier Lsland. What machinery, he asked, had been thus lost; what delay in the completion of the tunnel would be caused thereby; and when would passengers and luggage, he railed through? MINISTER’S STATEMENT. The Hon. J. G- Coates (Minister for Public Works) replied that it could not be stated definitely when the work would he finished. Of the two main turbo-generators, one was expected fo arrive m July. This set had been partially tested in England, and further tests would he required at the site. The second turbo-generator should follow the first at an interval of about a month, if all went well, with the tests completed at the manufacturer’s works. The locomotives had been held up for some months by the lockout; but he understood that the men had hoen back at work for about a month now, and, according to reports received from the inspecting engineer, the first locomotive might bo here in October, and the balance by the enj of November. “BOILER ACCESSORIES LOST.” “The ejection of the boilers was well in hand, but a great quantity of the aceesories went down in the Wiltshire. This material had been re-ordered, and it was estimated that six to eight working weeks were required to complete the manufacture of material to replace that lost.” According to this estimate, said Mr Coates, it should be possible to get steam up in December. An endeavour was being made by Babcock’s agents to expedite the replacement of the material; but, at best, it looked as if a few weeks only would be saved, enabling one boiler, possibly, to be got under steam in November. OPEN FOR TRAFFIC IN FEBRUARY. Taking into consideration the time occupied by trials, he could not hold out hopes of traffic being carried before February, or even March. The overhead work on the main line and the supply of condensing water to the power-house, it was anticipated, would be completed ahead of the power-house equipment and locomotives, though both were dependent on arrivals of material from England. Representations had also heen made for the conveyance of produce, etc., through, the tunnel, and the Minister stated that he hoped to allow produce and pigs to be conveyed from Otira to Arthur’s Pass after the middle of September next. No more than three hours a week could be spared for the running of this traffic; and arrangements would, therefore, require to he made with the resident engineer at Greymouth, so that the work of construction would not be interfered with to any great extent.