THE RAILWAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1636, 14 March 1866, Page 5

THE RAILWAY.

Since we last noticed the works of the tunnel a monthly return of the progress made at both ends has been published, shewing at the end of last month that there remained only about 500 yards to be driven through to complete the work. For the past seven months the material driven through at the Lyttelton side has been of the hardest description of compact black lava; indeed, so hard, that the steel manufactured in England on purpose to cut this Stone will hardly touch it. On asking one of the miners the difference between this material and the quartz that he had been for a long period mining in, in Victoria, he stated that he only w islied this was all quartz, so much easier was that stone to bore through. We wonder, after this, what those engaged in the Mont Cenis tunnel would say to this material if they had to go through it when they say they cannot penetrate quartz. We are glad to find a slight change for the better has taken place this week, and the contractors expect a much better rate of progress after this month.

At the Heathcote end much water has been met with this month, but the immense syphon laid in there has proved equal to the task of keeping the work clear ; and, although the men have had to work the greater part of the time in a constant downpour of water from the roof, they are able to make very fair progress. The works of the Great Southern Railway are rapidly progressing. About seven miles of the fencing are thoroughly completed; all the earthwork is also finished for the same distance. The rails are laid for a distance of four miles, and/the engine is continually passing up and down the line. The permanent way on this line is quite different to that on the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway, and looks of a much more temporary nature. We were struck with the great number of level crossings, and cannot understand why some of these sources of constant expense and danger should not have been got rid of. We were informed that there is sufficient material landed for nine miles of the permanent way, and that the sleepers for the whole length now in hand, about 15 miles, are cut and only waiting lighters to bring them up from Pigeon Bay.