THE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14587, 25 January 1911, Page 5

THE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

PROGRESS OF THE WORK.

Tro? contracts which have been. let in connection with the Auckland and suburban drainage scheme are being pushed on vigorously, an'] several are well advanced. Messrs. Mays and Gordon have almost completed their contract for the main sewer at the outfall end. The sewer, which at this pont is Bft Gin high by sft Bin wide (inside measurement) stands about half out of the sand, and its curves havo been designed by the engineer (Mr. W. E. Bush) with a, view to an esplanade some day running round this shoro of the harbour. The contractors for the ferro-concrete tanks (Messrs. Martin and Co.) have made a start, and a largo quantity of shingle has been stored in bins erected in the tide on piles, and the sheath-piling of the outer wall has been commenced. The tanks, which will bo three in number, and will be used to store the drainage when the outlet is closed during Hood tide, will occupy the curve of the Orakei Bay, at the head of the wharf. The No. 2 section of the Hobson Bay contract is being carried out by Mr. J. Griffin. Tho eewer is to be carried over the bay on piles. TwO lengths, one on either side of Wilson's Point, are completed, and the remainder of the track of the sewer is indicated by a double row of ferro-concrete piles. Messrs. Forrest and Lovett, and Mr. G. Knight have comploted the Archhill sewer. A large number of men employed by Messrs. Forrest and Lovett on the construction of the No., 1 branch, which will join tho main sewer at Wilson's Point, and run to the Great South Roadl The contractors are working from near the Ellerslie racecourse in Greenlano, right down to Wilson's Point. The sewer, which varies in size throughout its " length, ' enters ' the dividing hill about a-quarter of a mile down from Remuera Road. At this point there is a 40ft shaft, and the traffic is occasionally held tip on tho thoroughfare while blasting is going on in the "cut and cover" part 'of the work. The tunnel proper will be 1200 ft long, and will pierce the ridge on which the Remnera Road runs. The men are in about 60ft and on the seaward side of the hill the tunnel is driven for over 145 ft, work being carried on at both ends. In tho- section under the Orakei Road the contractors struck a very hard lava flow, so hard that in drilling a hole 2in deep 40 drills were used. This dyke is but narrow. Other contracts havo been let which have hot yet been commenced, the value of all the contracts let being about £153,000. ......