ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 143, 16 December 1908, Page 10

ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

© I PROGRESS OF THE WORK. | [BY TELEGRAM. — I'BESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, 15th Dec. To a representative of the Christ- ! church Truth, Mr. Murdoch M'Lean, who arrived in this city last night from Otira, gave some particulars regarding the progress of the work on the Arthur's Pass Tunnel. At the Otira end the tunnel was driven about twenty chains, and the average weekly rate of progress is about sixty feet. The kind of ground encountered is much as was expected, being moderately hard slate, which consequently does not require timbering. As tho matLer is at present before the Arbitration Court, Mr. M'Lean said that he could not go into the subject of the complaints of the men, but he could I state that they were gradually improving in regard to their knowledge of thn work, and it was hoped that in tho near future much greater progress would be made with tho piercing of the Alps than has been the case hitherto. He expected that the electric plant at the Ofcira end would be ready to start about tho end of the year. There wore about fifteen chains ol" the closing-in of the pipes (which are all manufactured and are on tho eround or in course of transport) to bo done in connection wifcli the Holt's Creek hydro-electric power scheme. When this has been completed a start will be made to widen out the tunnel, and to line it; in short, to complete each portion of tho lunriol as the work proceeded. In connection with the lining of the tunnel, for which concrete blocks are to be used in certain portions, the contractors have got the stone-crusher, the mixing machine, the bins, and the block ground under way, and all should be ready in a week or two for the starting of operations. Mr. Gavin, who has been appointed engineer in charge of the work, is expected to arrive from the United States shortly, and will take charge on or about 15th January. It will be remembered that Mr. Gavin wa3 an engineer under the Public Works Department, and was in charge of the works (including the tunnels) on the Midland lines between Patterson's Creek and Broken River. Since then he has had South African and American experience, the latest work which he has been connected with being on tho Great Western Pacific Railway. At the Bealey end of the tunnel a j good deal of excavation has been done jat the entrance to "The Hole in the I Hill." Solid rock having been met with, the foundations of the abutments of the permanent railway bridge, leading to the mouth of tho tunnel (for which Messrs. John M'Lean and Sons, Ltd., are also tho contractors) have been excavated. The power-house in connection with the Devil's Punch Bowl hydro-electric power scheme, the compressor sheds, and the necessary machinery are al! completed and installed. Work is still proceeding on the water-race from th»' Devil's Punch Bowl, and the pipes are expected to be finished within a month. The Pelton wheel generator and motors have been erected, and the electric cable between the compressor houso~ and the motor house is being installed. By the end of January it is expected that tho plant at the "Bealey end will be ready for work, and it is anticipated that, when operations commence, as much pro; gress will be made at the Bealey end ars at the Otira end. Mr. M'Lean had a word of praise for the manner in which the Despatch Foundry Company, Greymouth, had dona its work in connection with 'the manufacture of pipes. He stated that thu foundry was one of tho best which he had had to do with, and the company hpcl more tban carried out its undertakings. Despite the fact that it had had to import the material, tha piper, for the Short's Creole installation had been supplied a rr.ontn earlier than contract time, whilst those for the Punch Bowl installation would be completed inside a month.

As showing how timber has gone up in price in. the Stratford district, the Stai- was informed by Mr. E. Barton, of Tariki, that whereas he paid 11s per hundred feet at the mill for the best heart of rimu three years ago, he has just paid 20s for the same class of timber : and 13s is being charged for seconds. A biff burly man of Ealmain "Was once ovorhoard to exclaim, "Laxo-Tonie I took And I never feels crook, If 1 does, I shall lako 'em again." Laxo-Touic Pills, lO.^cl and Is 6d.— Advt.