ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 238, 1 July 1908, Page 7

ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

PROGRESS OF WORK. ■ [BI TELEGEAPH,—PRESS 'ASSOCIATION.] ' ' Chrlstchuroh, Juno 30. Tho "Truth" Otiva correspondent reports that _tho # 60 h.p. boiler that was plaoed in position ,eomo time ago has been bricked in, and slow, fires aro now to be kept going to season : tho brickword, preparatory to getting up steam in a day or two. Tho compressors are ready with tho air pipes laid to the faco of tho heading. This machinery, together with tho steam boiler, is now undor cover,- a compact building having been erected. It is expected to nave a trial run ofvtho machinery on Wednesday, When tbo "Ingorsoll Sergeant" rock borers will be given their initial spin. As tho heading is now in excellent country, both dry, and firm, the machines after a turn or two havo been taken out of them may surpass tho most sanguino expectations as to their boring capabilities. Tho surface water has disappeared altogether, and the ground at the time of writing ; is of such a splendid nature that onco it has been excavated tho drive would stand capitally without timber were such a thing required. Despite the troubled atmosphere that pervades tho sccno ofi operations in regard to labour, great activity-is displayed in tho transport and unpacking of machinery of all sorts and descriptions. Two largo concreto mixers havo recently conio to hand. The floor of • tho extensive cemont shed on tho Rolloston river-bod presents a motley appoaranco, machinery of all kinds being stacked ovor it. Men aro busily engaged hauling shingle from the riverbod for tho power-houso foundations. This is being dono by means of a light nerial tramline worked by hand. On tho Bealoy Flat, where quite a township is springing up, operations are being busily carried on. The punch bowl water supply tunnels aro going along at a splendid rate, nearly ono half nf tho 18 chains having now been accounted for. An aerial tramline 500 yards in length is being orccted to carry pipes and other matorial from tho roadway to tho mouth of the water drive, some 800 feet up tho mountain side.