Otira Tunnel Traffic.

The predictions made at the opening of the Otira tunnel in August, 1923, that there would be an ever increasing volume of goods traffic conveyed by rail between Westland and Canterbury have been fully justified by results. Despite interruptions caused by floods and washouts each year, the volume of traffic continues to increase.

The gross tonnage of traffic through the tunnel from west to east in 1926 was 409,200 tons, an increase of 57,077 tons compared with 1925. Since the tunnel was opened for traffic on 4th August, 1923, the electric locomotives have hauled a total of 1,151,577 tons weight of east-bound goods trains through the tunnel.

The New South Wales Legislative Assembly has passed the first reading of the Transport Bill, which is framed on the lines of the English and New Zealand Acts, and provides for the appointment of a Transport Board (consisting of Railway Commissioners), which will be empowered to operate motor-buses in competition with privately owned services, and to order the insurance of passengers in public vehicles by the owners.