THE CONSTRUCTION OF SLUDGECHANNEL NO. 2.

Kumara Times, Issue 2919, 8 March 1886, Page 2

THE CONSTRUCTION OF SLUDGECHANNEL NO. 2.

[to the editor.] Sir—Will you allow me to make a few remarks on Sludge-channel No. 2 ? I saw in the Mining Reporter's report some time since that, it was getting on very well. To all appearauce his report is not to he relied on : would he write the same were he, working below where No. 2 is likely to connect, with No. 1 ? It was au uudci*i.ov>J thing

when the work was started, it was to relieve sludge-channel No. 1, and to be completed in eight months. The time expired about Christmas, and it is not finished yet; neither is it likely to be for some time to come ; and if "the contractors have broken their contract, tbey ought to pay the fine. It so bappened that a few promoters of Channel No. 2 that are working in channel No. 1 are so situated that they can very easily connect with No. 2 when No. 1 is blocked up, and that will be very soon, so it does not matter to them, if it was only intended to relieve the parties that are so situated within reach of No. 2. If we were not to be benefited by it, why should Mr Morris go around to all parties using the channel asking them to sign their names for a certain sum of money i? the amount allotted hy Government was not enough to carry out the work 1 And I think almost everyone did sign. Seeing the time it has taken, I for one will refuse to give anything if it should be required, unless compelled by law to do so. The contractors evidently did not go at first to their work ns they should j if they had commenced by sinking a shaft at the time they started the tunnel, it would have beeu finished before this time. I hope the bnsiness people who form part of the promoters will see that the contractors press on the work. We considered when sludgechannel No. 2 started that working "in the dark morning and evening would be done away with. By all appearance last winter's hours will be resumed this coming one. Pardon me, Mr Editor, for trespassiug on your valuable paper and time, but I consider it someone's duty to have something to say, especially as it is a work which interests so many.—Yours truly, A Sluicer. March 6, 1886.