THE MIDLAND TUNNEL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 100, 29 April 1908, Page 5

THE MIDLAND TUNNEL.

Flßil^n& OF THE FIRST SHOT

[prom our correspondent.] CHRISTCHURCH, April .29. The Otira correspondent of The Press states that .the firing of the first sibwt in the attack on tfhe bouthern Alps by Messrs John. McLean and hon s .army of w6rkers caused but little fuss aiic! up demonstration. Beyond the workers ,on shift .there were few present- ' The-fuse was ignitedthe call of "Fire!" in stentoria-i tones went echoing up the Rolleston Uorge; a minute or two of waiting, and a deep booming sound was heajd; then smoke came issuing from beneath the heavy mass of timber that protects the luce of the drive, and ihe casual onlooker knew that the first shot had actually been Jired ir the great Midland Tunnel, which is to be o miles 25 chains in length. As the writer turned away he could not help reflecting on the little scene just enacted, and wondered as he walked down the planked Rolleston Bridge how many such shots would be fired before daylight was let through the great dividing range ? With up-to-date ' and scientific methods of working and with skilful, brainy men in. charge, there is but little room for doubt that the big drive will be successfully completed in five years.