Otira breakthrough

A PARTY of about 300 left by special train for Arthur’s Pass this morning to assist in the ceremony attached to the meeting of the headings at the Otira tunnel. Splendid weather favoured the official ceremony of opening the tunnel. Three hundred Canterbury and half as many West Coast people, including members of Parliament and of local bodies from all parts of the provinces, arrived in trains and cars. A large crowd gathered to witness the firing of the shot which signified that the headings were pierced. This was a polite fiction, as the connection was

made some time ago. Speeches were made by Sir James Allen, Sir William Fraser, the Hon. G. W. Russell, Mr H. Holland (Mayor of Christchurch), and Mr Hewlett (on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce). Mr Holland said the Tunnel League hoped to see the trains running in four years.

At 2.30 p.m. from the Bealey mouth of the tunnel, the Acting Prime Minister, Sir W. Fraser electrically fired a shot one mile and ahalf in the tunnel, breaking down the headings, and the band played the National Anthem.

Sir W. Fraser said he looked upon this work as one of dominion importance. The pass was discovered in 1864 by Arthur Dudley Dobson, whom he was pleased to see present. After referring to the history of the railway and the tunnel, the Minister, alluding to those who had worked for the railway, mentioned Mr Seddon, and said he was pleased to see representatives of the family present. Regarding its completion, he said money was available for public works

only after war requirements had been met, and the completion would depend upon how long the war lasted. He sincerely hoped that, if circumstances were favourable, it would be completed in two years or two years and ahalf; but the only pledge he could give was that he would do all he could to see the work finished as early as possible. He complimented the engineers on the accuracy of the work, and called for three cheers for the engineering staff and the workmen.