AT THE TUNNEL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17037, 10 May 1923, Page 6

AT THE TUNNEL.

IRONICAL SITUATION. (Special to the •‘•'Star-, * GREYMOUTH, May 9. It is somewhat’ ironical that, although the weather throughout the Coast is gloriously fine, this province is in many ways more seriously affect-

ed bv the floods in Canterbury than Canterbury itself. The West Coast is faced with the unenviable prospect of virtual isolation for at lecust one week. Ph© position so far as the carriage of mails is concerned shows no improvement to-day. A motor-car, carrying mails, could not proceed further than Porter s Pass, near Kowhai, yesterday. If the road is passable for a car to-morrow, South Island mails will be sent overland. Unless something definite is heard regarding the state of the road all mails, both lor the North and South Islands, will be despatched by the e.s. Ngahere, sailing at 5.30 a.m. to-morrow for Wellington direct. I hat is the best the Post Office can do. It is taking advantage of every opportunity to get the mails away, but c-annot accomplish impossibilities, those desirous of teaching the North Island are not affected by the interruptions of the Christchurch route. A daily service from Reefton to Nelson has been running for the past five months, connecting every night Wlt «- t . he ferr T steamers from Nelson to Wellington. The residents of Arthur's Pass are placed in a. somewhat unfortunate plight, consequent on the isolation resulting from the interruptions to the tram services to Christchurch. Work m the tunnel is not interrupted seriously, but the district has almost rur, out of provisions, and the West Coast is now the only source of supply. *l r T. E. Y. Seddon has done good work m organising relief for the people of Arthur s Pass. Yesterday he received a telegram from Mr G. Hogjund. requesting that the supplies of butter, bread, and beef should be sent from Greymouth every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until further notice. Mr Seddon immediately conferred with the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr AA\ H. Parfitt), and the necessary arrangements were made for the goods to be forwarded as early as possible. The first supply will be taken through tomorrow. and an arrangement is being made to keep it up until the position is again normal. As far as the weather at Otira is concerned, no difficulty will be experienced, as it is beautifully fine. It will be quite easy to negotiate the Gorge Roacl 3 or to send provisions through the tunnel provided the Public Works Department make suitable arrangements.