THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2121, 21 February 1908, Page 2

THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

A BIG UNDERTAKING. CONTRACTORS HARD AT WORK. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 20. The energies of the contractors for the Otira tunnel seem at present to be concentrated upon the water supplies at either end of the big drive, which are very necessary and essential adjuncts .to the successful termination of the undertaking. The Holt’s Creek supply in the Holiest on gorgo will require some careful manipulation before it reaches the power house, and there will be some miles of piping along a track cut out of tho mountain side, and two bridges, one 120 feet long in six spans of 20 feet, . and one of 60 feet in one span and 35 feet above the ravine bed. Bridges of this class in any other place but the mountain gorges of the Alps would be a matter of detail, but when confronted by nothing but perpendicular walls of rock, with masses of boulders strewn beneath, the work assumes a different aspect. On the Beamy side, wherq Air. Leslie Reynolds and his men have been surveying for the past week, tho Punch Bowl supply is the main object occupying their time and attention. The work of surveying this stream is attended with much risk to life and limb, and is indeed without the slightest exaggeration, almost a hazardous task, the men for hours at a time being suspended- on ropes over the cliff’s side. It is understood that if this stream is finally decided upon as a source of supply, it will be necessary to drive a tunnel 15 chains in length to bring tho water through. INo other work beyond the above mentioned has so far been put in hand on the Canterbury side of the range by the contractors. Oil the Otira side oi the Alps a different order of tilings obtain, and men are being put on every day at various works. The tunnel, or, to be more correct, the approach thereto, is being pushed fi ij’i ai ,?y er y day gives indication that the solid country should soon be met with as the ground is hardening, and shows less inclination to slip. The Rolleston bridge is fully decked, and the timber for the engineer’s residence, blacksmith’s shop, offices, etc : 3 “°' v ,Je ‘iig transported. The first instalment of Mr. McLean’s horses, hvo m number, arrived the other evening, and it is understood another twenty-two are to follow. They are without question, a prime lot, and ", In tolled to loads of wet rim u and requested to trundle them over the pass. Ihe Government’s works near the Rolleston.. with the exception °1 groins for protection, should be out ot hand in the course of a few weeks 10 cu ? tin » "'ill receive its d 'VI iV I * lO " ext ten or twelve Ihc .Hoads Department are nf present erecting a horse bridge over the Otira river. This bridge will bo a double pile construction, 6 feet wide and some 375 feet long, i n 15 spans oi 2o feet each. Pile driving will tie commenced in a day or two Allien completed the bridge should pio\e a boon to pedestrians and cyclists, lor the Otira is a roimh stream nine months out of twelve.