ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 199, 16 May 1908, Page 6

ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

PROGRESS OF THE WORKS. . [BT TELEGEAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] • . Christchurch, May 15. ; L Tho official ceremony in connection'' with the opening celebrations at Arthur's Pas 3 tunnel .caused biit a slight hitch in the progress of the great work, for immediately the crowd was off tho scene work was resumed, and, operations were carried on with accustomed vigour. Tho large bridge on the.. Holt s creek pipe lino is complete, and the smaller ones are well under way. A few weeks should, see tho completion of the drives on this' route, and then all will bo ready for the pipcs v Good progress is being made with the Punch-bowl pipe lino, but as tho tunnel in this connection is eighteen chains in length it will of necessity bo some considerable time beforo po.ver is availablo from this source; The necessary machinery for the air-compressing plant, together with the Ingersoll Rand Rook drilling machines having arrived, tho whole of tho consignment is being transported with dispatch to tho tunnel mouth, where operations are in progress for the erection of the compressors. Once tho air-compressing plant is installed the rock borers will be immediately brought into requisition, and it i 3 calculated that tho heading will then bo driven at a speed which, if maintained throughout, should oasily see tho completion of tho bole in the hill in the specified time. •

Tho work being done by the Public M'orks Department in the vicinity of ,the Rolleston is drawing to a close, there being only a small gang finishing off' tho groin. Tho remainder of the co-operative, workers aro employed on the embankments and proins at Goat Creek. Tho cottage on the Beale.v Flat, to tho ordor of tho' Department, is almost out of hand, and is a new and comfortablo structure. *