THE MIDLAND TUNNEL.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13095, 21 April 1908, Page 7

THE MIDLAND TUNNEL.

PROGRESS OF THE WORK

DRIVING OPERATIONS COMMENCED IN EARNEST.

(special to "the press.' , ) OTIRA, April 20,

The general preliminary work in connection with tho tunnel is being prosecuted with accustomed vigour, and, in consequence, as the weeks go by, the necessary buildings advance perceptibly, while on the pipo lines the bridges and tunnels each receive the attention they require. On tho Holt's Creek route tho big treotle bridge is just about completed, with the exception of a few planks, and tho other smaller ones are now being constructed. The drives aro in fairly good country, and consequently the progress Ls fairly rapid, and it should not be long before they are ready to receive tho pipes. Tho buildings on the Otira end are engaging attention, but soino difficulty is being experienced in obtaining the necessary labour. The goods shed, a building 00ft x 30it, is now under course of construction, and is urgently neoued, as there aro many tons of general commodities to be placed in it as soon as it i.s covered in. The power-house at tho termination of the Holt's Creek line, is also under construction, and there is now in Otira one- hundred tons ot machinery io be placed in it immediately there is room tor its reception. A start was made on Thursday Inst with driving the heading in the big tunnel. This is the commencement in earnest of the Wostland end, and the work will be prosecuted without interruption on tho part of tho contractors. Tho work will be by hand until the machinery has arrived and power is available for its manipulation. lne greater portion of tho machinery is either on the water or has boon landed. Mr Neil McLean paid a visit to Otira last week, and is, IJoarn, well satis-* fied with tho general, progress of the various works, especially with the Punch Bowh pipe lino and tunnel. Good work is being done on tho Bealey end by both navvies and tradesmen, teams being kept busy carting timber and other material over tho Pass. . Mr Murdoch McLean is expected to arrive in Auckland to-day, and will no doubt be hero in time for the great official opening. In conversation with Mr iNeil McLean, tho representative of ''The Press learned that it is the intention of the firm to drive but one heading in the tunnel. This will be what is termed a bottom heading, and its dimensions will bo 9ft by 7ft. Mr Findlayeon h-ae arrived and will be general manager of tho big undertaking. Mr Pindlayson was at one time of <t;he firm of Findlayson, Tims and Smith, -well known as railway cantractors in the Commonwealth, -where they constructed many miles of line. Nothing definite hae at time of writing been arranged as to the exact date \\hen tihe oiferirg) rite , H> Itafae place, but rumour has it that it will be eflirly in May. From a sceiniq point of view Holt's Credk k well worthy of attention by the Tourist Department, and when tfae pipes are laid, aaid the heavy traffio occasioned 'by sleighing material over the track has coasedj a few pounds would nraJce it c very fair pa.tih indeed, and anyone who cares for a ramble amid fern, lily and bush, with numerous cascades and waterfalls, a.nd water clear end cold rushing oveir the massive bouldere, will bo well repaid by a visit to the intake of the Holt's Creek water supply. It jb but one of the beauty epots as yet unknown to the outside world that simply aibound in the unexploVed mountain fastnesses of the Alps in tiho upper readhee of the Rolloston and Otira rivers end their tributaries.

The big cutting approaching the Roltleeton bridge has been completed', and John and Son have uninterrupted, right-of-way to the bridge and tunnel, and the transport of material will <bo greatly racdlitm<t|eid ifrom now on. Unhampered haulage will be very essential whan handling tho large and heavy oases of machinery now coming to hand. The co-operative workers are concentrated at Goat Creek attending to the embankment and the- construction of groins for its protection. x

Mr Henry Travere, the well-known natural history collector of Wellington, is again in tho Gorge completing hie collection,. Mt Travers spoa-ks in the highest terms of ipra.ise of tho Otiira and Roll cc ton Gorges from a natural history collector's point of view, and says the fitJd far surpasses his most sanguine expectations. The major portion of Mr Traverse former collection won't Heme with Captain Dorri en-Smith, who, it will ibe remembered, paid a vieit to the Dominion recently.