THE OTIRA TUNNEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17711, 23 August 1919, Page 9

THE OTIRA TUNNEL

INDIFFERENT PROGRISSS. UNSATISFACTORY CONDITIONS. (Pea Okited Fbess Association.) CHRISTCH QRCH, August 22. At a meeting of the Arthur's Pass Tunnel League Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., who has returned from a visit of inspection, stated that a mile of the lining, etc. yet remains to be done. It was estimated that the work would take two years, which, to his mind, was unduly long Ho crife'isad the housing conditions at Otira, and advocated improvement, and the employment cf another shift to hasten the completion of the work. He oontendc-d that oy bettering the hoiising and wage conditions, the work would attract labour. The following lesolution was carried: "That members at this meeting are surprised and concerned to learn that miserable housing Accommodation still obtains at Otira, and that women and children are consequently suffering, not only in comfort, but in health, and urges the Minister of Public Works to fulfil the promise made, and at once have these conditions remedied; (2) that this meeting urges on the Government the necessity of increasilig the wages of workers at the tunnel to a minimum of 20s per shift." It was also agreed to ask the Minister of Health to station a medical man at 'he works, and to wait on Sir William Fraser in connection with tunnel matters generally.