PROGRESS AT OTIRA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6745, 17 February 1909, Page 6

PROGRESS AT OTIRA

ENLARGING THE TTJNNB&. SPBCIAI, TO THE " TIMES." CHRISTCHTJRCH, February 16. The Otira correspondent' of the 'Press" writes:—"Breaking down" operations have begun here, and a pneumatic drill is at work. cutting away the roof near the mouth of the big tunnel. When a sufficient opening has beenoleared a Btaging will be erected and the work of Enlarging the tunnel to its full nedght will proceed in both directions, smaller drills, called "popping machines," are being introduced to clean ■up after their larger brethren, and 'n-hen these have performed their duties all will be ready for lining. A large shed has been erected in- which the concrete blocks will be made for this purpose. Already an electric concrete imixer is ' in place, and by the railway line just above the shed the contractors have built a big shingle bin. The carpenters are at present constructing the moulds whereby the blocks will be shaped exactly. Friday a ten horse-power electric ventilating set was used for the first time. Current from the power is also used to light the nouses, offices and factories at the_ wcrks, and fivelicht clusters are, being installed about the yards, so that ooerations can henceforth be carried out as well by night 33 by day. The interior of- the tunnel i fe be lit by electric lamps at intervals along ifs whole lensrth. The acetyienn lish.ts used at present- for this purpose need so much attention as to make them quite an expensive item.