ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 115, 13 May 1909, Page 6

ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

THE BONUS SYSTEM

CHKISTCHURCH, May 6. Mr Murdoch McLean, of John McLean and Sons, Limited, contractors for Arthur's Pass tunnel, when in Christohurch recently, gave a newspaper representative- some information regarding the progress of that great undertaking. At the Otira end-the work is going on favourably, and the workers are satisfied with existing conditions. A start'has been made to widen 'out the tunnel, and a large number of additional workers have been engaged. Already four or five chains on widening out have been done, and it is expected that good . progress will be made with this work. The blockmaking plant has been installed, and the work of making blocks wherewith the tunnel is to be lined has commenced. As soon as the blocks are sufficiently set to allow of their being placed in position, a start will be made with the lining of the widened-out portion of the tunnel. Great progress is being made with the heading, between 41 and 42 chains having been driven to date. This week it is hoped that the total distance driven will be between 78 and 80 feet, in which case the 26 or _28 men engaged on the work will receive between th^m, as bonus, £12 or £14. ,The men are perfectly satisfied with the bonus system. When the ground driven through is exceptionally hard, they are not able to advance more than 60ft. or 66ft. in a week, though working with equal zeal. "When the ground is good they can advance at the rate of 70ft. or 80ft. per week, and for an addition to 66ft. they receive a bonus. By this means they get the full benefit of the good ground. If the nature of the ground does not permit them to do 66ft., they do not receive less in wages. In Mr McLean's opinion, the men, even if they did not get the bonus, would do just as much work, as they are a good class of men. "It has been stated by labour agitators," continued Mr McLean, "that those men, by their exertions, and by doing extra work, are robbing other men of employment, but, as a matter of fact, as far as this particular instance is concerned, it would be impossible to employ more men than are employed, owing to the space being confined."

Regarding the hydro-electrical installation at the Otira end, Mr McLean said that it is working very successfully, and there has not been a hitch since it started.

A good deal of .work has been done at the Bealey end of the tunnel. The pipes are laid to the mouths of tunnels on the top of the rise, and the fluming through the tunnels, which is to convey the water to the pipe-head, is almost completed. The cables are all fixed in position on the poles between the power-house and the compressor house. Generators, pelton wheels, and compressors are in position, and it is hoped, in a fortnight's time, to start work at the heading of the Be ale v end of the tunnel.