OTIRA TUNNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 48

OTIRA TUNNEL.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR OPENING CEREMONY. IFkom Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 16 ; The opening of the Otira tunnel is definitely fixed for August 4. It is expected that there will be 200 visitors from the North Island, and the Union Company is making special arrangements for their accommodation in the Wahine. The train journey will be commenced at 8.15 on the morning of August 5. the guests to be invited will bo Sir Joseph Ward, Sir William Hall-Jones, and the Hon. Roderick M‘Kenzie —a former Minister of Works. The West Coast contingent will arrive before the eastern excursionists. They will come through the tunnel and then return to the Otira side where the opening ceremony will take place. It will be very short. Brief speeches will be made by the Prime

Minister and the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates). The whole proceeding will be brief, as not more than two and a-half hours can be devoted to the ceremony. Parliament will adjourn at 5.30 p.m. on August 3 to enable Ministers and members to make the trip. The House vs ill meet again on the following Monduv. HOKITIKA, July' 18. The Westland branch of the Canterbury Progress League has accepted the invitation of the parent body to attend a banquet at Christchurch on August 4 to celebrate the opening of Arthur’s Pass tunnel, the president and secretary being deputed to attend. The branch agreed unanimously to support celebrations at Greymouth on August 4, and the Mayor will be asked to declare a public holiday. It was decided that Hokitika organise a gala day at the close of the session to celebrate the event, and invite Ministers and members to the function. It was resolved to defer the children’s visit lo the tunnel till the end of October, when a monster school excursion will be organised. OPENING CELEBRATIONS. (From Ocb Own Coebesbondent.) WELLINGTON, July 22. On behalf of the Government, the Hon. J G. Coates (Minister of Public Works) has issued invitations for the opening of the Arthur’s Pass section of the Midland railway at Otira on Saturday, August 4. at 1 p.m. As it will be necessary to forward railway passes and to arrange steamer and railway accommodation for those who intend to make the trip, answers to the invitations are expected not later than July 25. Accommodation for Ministers, members of Iroth branches of the Legislature, and others from the North Island will be provided by the Government on the ferry steamer leaving Wellington at 7.45 p.m. on August 3, and on the same vessel for the return trip on Saturday. August 4. In addition, special trains will be run from Christchurch to Otira, anil on the West Coast from Ross, Greymouth, and Reefton to Arthur’s Pass and back to Otira. BTill particulars of the time-tables will be issued later on. Unfortunately the accommodation available at Otira will not allow of complete arrangements being made to provide luncheon, and it is anticipated that considerable difficulty will be experienced in even supplying counter refreshments to all. It is suggested, therefore, that as many as possible from the east and west coast of the South Island should make their own arrangements for luncheon by hamper or otherwise.