Rail tunnel nearly finished

Mr Henry J. Marriner, chairman of the railway committee of the Chamber of Commerce, who has just made a visit of inspection to the Otira tunnel works, reports that work is nearing completion at Arthur’s Pass. The railway yard and the work of levelling and laying tracks are nearly finished. It is expected that the work will be finished by the end of the year and opened for traffic. The subway which is being built in order that passengers will not have to cross electrified rails is beginning and is to be finished at the same time. The new site for the

station is being prepared. The only work of any magnitude likely to hold up the timing of trains is the bridge over the Bealy River, which will be finished by Christmas. As far as the Arthurs Pass railway system is concerned the engineer in charge says that the works will be completed by the end of the year. The inside of the tunnel is nearly finished. All power lines have been placed in position, and with regard to electrical work inside there is only the overhead wire to be put in its place to connect it with the power lines and work is completed. But the engineers think it advisable not to finish this until they are ready to test the whole electrical workings in about a fortnight, when ballasting will be finished. Mr Marriner concluded his report by saying that there is no chance of the tunnel being opened by the end of the year, as after all the works are completed it is expected it will take three months to test all electrical appliances, so that in all probability it

will be about Easter of 1923 before everything is in full working order.

Sendoff for Palmerston lady

The women of Palmerston met in the Presbyterian Sunday School Hall, which was prettily decorated with flags and large bowls of spring flowers, for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mrs J.R. Rutherford. There was a gathering of about 70, and songs were rendered by Mesdames Smith, Sutherland and Mayer, and Miss Bennett. Two competitions caused much amusement. Mrs J. Gordon and Mrs McGregor were the winners; Mrs C.McGregor the booby winner. During the afternoon Mrs Arkle presented Mrs Rutherford with a gold wrist watch and a cheque, and in so doing referred to the many services Mrs Rutherford had rendered to the district, and said that during the war no one in Palmerston had done more for the boys at the front than Mrs Rutherford. Mrs Rutherford thanked those present for the gifts.