THE KUMARA SLUDGE-CHANNEL.

Kumara Times, Issue 1026, 15 January 1880, Page 2

THE KUMARA SLUDGE-CHAN-NEL.

[communicated] Going down the terrace by a wellconstructed tramway, made for the purpose of sending down timber, &c, we arrived at the mouth of the tunnel. Our first exclamation at the sight was that it was just like a railway tunnel. After a preliminary survey of the outside, we started to interview the interior, when we found that what appeared only a large square hole in the side of the hill soon showed itself to be a piece of real engineering skill, carried oat to perfection, under the supervision of the contractor, Mr Maher. As we proceeded up the tunnel, in the distance like the gleaming eyes of some inhabitant of the lower, regions' came two lights. At first we thought they were the lights used by the workmen in the face, but to our relief and comfort, we found it was one of the men sent to our assistance, and, having placed on© of the above-mentioned eyes in our

Wid» we,' -with the usual "Thank you,*' proceeded, at a quicker pace to the front, where we found six men at work, "punching" a very hard blue reef, to contend with which dynamite was being used as a persuader. Good and very effectual progress is being made, as we were informed that they progressed at the rate of two sets in twenty-four hours. Talk about your " navvies :" after that give me diggers in preference. The touch-dreaded " pug " did not give as much trouble as was expected, only in a few sets, which it is plain to be seen have sunk a little, necessitating double timbering. Having seen all we could see, and having trar perhaps rather impertinent queries civilly answered, and finding out that they were.in about 450 feet, and wish' ing success to the undertaking, we took our departure.

Iror remainder of hews see List page.