ORONGORONGO TUNNEL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11250, 30 June 1922, Page 5

ORONGORONGO TUNNEL

A PROGRESS REPORT. THE WORK IN HAND. A progress report with reference to the construction of the Orongorongo tunnel was ' submitted to the City Council last evening by the city engineer (Mr W. H. Morton). At the end of last week, he stated, the tunnel at the Wainui end had been driven 1771 feet, and at the Orongorongo end driving had advanced 244 feet, a total length of 2015 feet. The weir which would form the intake to the pipe-line from the Orongorongo to the tunnel, and which was also to supply power for the turbine at tho Orongorongo end, is being constructed, the foundation now being m. Tho trusses of the bridge over the Orongorongo stream had been put together at Wainui, and had been convoyed up the Orongorongo river to the site. This bridge was for carrying the pipe, over the Orongorongo river to the mouth of the tunnel and Yo give the necessary access to the weir at the intake.

Consequent upon wet weather and had conditions, the road up tho Orongorongo had been difficult to keep in satisfactory condition. Nearly tho whole of the materia! required on the Orongorongo side had, however, been carted to the site. The three married men’s hut* at Wainnl, sanctioned by the council, were in course of construction. In addition to the members of the party working in the tunnel, there were eleven engaged on wages by the corporation. These included three turbine attendants, one storeman, one handyman, one mechanic, one labourer, three drivers, and one cook. The last 120 feet driven from the Wainui end had been through good ground, not necessitating timbering. The same remark applied to the condition of the face of the drive at the Orongorongo end.