PURAKANUI CLIFFS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1956, 28 September 1888, Page 3

PURAKANUI CLIFFS

(FSB PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, September 28."

The Government have decided to begin a taonel on Purakanui Oliff at once. There are two places where the Hue is considered dangerous ; one is on the oliff Itself where the rook Is fragile and con ttnually slipping. Last winter some thousands of tons camo down and the tunnel will be driven behind this portion. The other spot Is approaching the oliff from Danedln side where tho hillside It. almost perponchcalar and ltabin to Blips on account ot water that percolates over the oliff. Some drains are to be put In which it Is anticipated will make thl* portion quite safe. It la hoped that the work will be finished by the beginning of next winter. The tunnel is only a quarter of a mile long and the coßt Is estimated at from £12,0C0 £15,000, the interest on which will ocme to about the same amount as the present yearly cent of keeping that section of the line In order, namely £690. Two other tunnels were proposed outttng off the whole cliff, but one w<uld have been 70 chatus long aud the cost £70,000, and the other 58 oh*inß and the ojst £50,000. So the idea v>&i sbandoned aa beyond the colony's means and moreover they would have required some two years work to drive them.