THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16751, 5 June 1922, Page 8

THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

MR MASSEY AND WEST COASTERS. HEAVY TRAFFIC EXPECTED Although nothing new was elicited in the course of this mornings deputation of West Coasters to the Prime Minister regarding the Otira tunnel, a half promise was given bv Mr Massey that dairy produce would be carried from the Coast during the summer months, although regular traffic might not be possible. The deputation, which was organised by the Canterbury and Mostland Progress Leagues, was very cordially received by the Prime Minister. EARLY COMPLETION URGED. Mr W. Jeffreys, chairman of the Westland Countv Council, said that the deputation desired t-o urge th© early completion of the Otira tunnel. M bile {fllmitting that the Government had done much to snood no the work, there was a national need for its completion. The tipanel would bring in a very handsome revenue greater than had been dreamed of. At the moment there was butter and cheese valued at £BO.OOO ready for railway every season to Christchurch. Other lines were as follows :—- Wool. £130.000. Cattle, 5000 head. Sheep. 15,000 head. Lambs, 25,000 head. Timber. 30,000.000 feet. Coal, 200.000 tons. These figures, Mr Jeffreys said, show-\ ed the enormous importance of the tunnel from a revenue earning point of view. He a-sked for specially favourable consideration for the carriage of butter and cheese to Canterbury next season. Last year, unfortunately, owing to had shipping arangements, this produce had had to come over the ranges, and on arrival in Canterbury it could not be graded. He hoped that perishable goods would he allowed to come through the tunnel during the season. During last year from 25,000 to 30,000 passengers had been carried by the coaches., and next - season the passengers through the tunnel should number not less than 60,000, with a very considerable prospect of increase. It was proposed at the Diamond Jubilee of Westland, during January and February. 1924. an industrial exhibition was to be run, and this would greatly increase the traffic over the line. If anv assistance could he given by the Government in completing the tunnel the West Coast would be very grateful. TRAFFIC UNDERESTIMATED. The Hon H. L. Michel said that the traffic on the line had been under-esti-mated. Butter and cheese from the * southern end was valued at £B€f,ooo, and then there would be the Greymouth output as well. Without cooling chambers on the West Coast, very heavy losses were entailed in this class of produce, and its removal to Canterbury was important. He did not think that the tunnel would be in use for more than one hour a day to enable perishable produce to be transported to Canterbury. TUNNEL WILL PAY. Mr Massey, in reply said that he was not one of those who believed that the tunnel would not pay axle grease. There would he a great deal of traffic. The difficulties of the past had been largely financial, owing to the heavy cost of the work, and the fact of the line® on either side being practically idle. From what he knew of the Coast there would be heavy traffic in coal and timber to commence with, and then there would he the gradual agricultural development. Although the land was difficult to break in, the dairy industry was- going ahead steadily and must go ahead still more rapidly. Ho had been glad to notice during his last visit that a number of holdings had been established, and men were working hard to add to their holdings. He was not a bit pessimistic about the tunnel. The Public Works Department, up till recently, had been of opinion that the tunnel would he open to traffic by December. Ho hoped that there would be no delay duo to the railway strike at Home, but he had noticed that some of the electrical appliances had been lost in the Wiltshire ; but even in the event of delays due to the electrical equipment, something ought to be done to get the dairy produce through the tunnel during the summer months. (Hear, hear).