THE PROGRESS OF THE PANAMA CANAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6501, 28 December 1881, Page 6

THE PROGRESS OF THE PANAMA CANAL.

Mf X F.T.Titley,of St Thomas, who has recently returned from a visit to the Isthmus, sends US the following concerning the progress of the Panama Canal t— I "Considering that the Intororaanie Canal Company, although «» fait accompli from the time that M. do Lessons' grand scheme of piercing the American Isthmus was placed ' before the public, was not actually and legally constituted until Match 4 Ibis year, it is not to be expected that a great deal of work has been done. Owing, however, to 1 the wonderfully good health enjoyed by M. Bk&ebet* ih» contractor, and the ready and wilting ■ cooperation afforded him by the general staff in his indefatigable exertions to prosecute the Work with alacrity, it will be seen that what has been accomplished is evidently more than could even under other circumstances have been expected. Almost the entire survey# have been completed, and a largo cutting made from one tide of the Isthmus to the other is accordance with tho pish of tbo Inleroceanic Congress. .Plans of the outride and town of Panama to the mouth of the Bid Grande, of the course of tho Upper Ohagras tot about 40 to BO kilometres, and of toe river Miudi, from the mouth to the railway have been token, as well as a hydrographic plan of the Bay of Panama, witb surrounding* in the Bay. A plan has also been completed of Colon, with whams and building, including those of Matini, and all tho studies and observations for the damming of the river Chagrse. Three maregraphs (tide measure*) have been erected at Colon, Boca, and the Island of Naos. Stations for meteorological observations me established at the earns places, ae well ae at flamenco. The geological structure of the Isthmus has been tested, and the instruments suitable for boring and cutting have been ordered. The results of the geological examination* have been highly satisfactory, owing to their having shown that from Qatun to the Atlas tie, the proposed course of the Canal will be free from any rooky beds, and on other parte of the course where rocks are found they are of each a nature ae to be easily excavated. Thera are five launches wad two steam-tog* plying between Gatuo and Colon, and a third is used at Panama for hydrographic studies of the Bay. Lighter* ore being constructed ad Panama and Colon, and a krge pier Is being erected at the latter place for tho landing of goods and machinery, which are constantly arriving forth* company, At Mataohin a transport office has been established, and the environs of Cruces are being explored. At Qatun, which is destined to become an important inland port, a large village has been established, where there are houses for engineer*, workmen, and labourers. Preparations are being made tor tho erection of a large hospital at tho tame place, and workshops are aUo being erected on & large scale for repairing dredgers and excavators; there are two of the latter already constructed there, and wady for work, there is also a small fine of railway from that station to the village to facilitate the conveyance of fibs building material*. A large hospital is being erected at Colon, in the most salubrious part of the place, and two workshops are also completed there. In the absence of the erection of hospitals, arrangements bare been made with the foreign hospital in Panama to make certain alterations and improvements for the accommodation of the company's servant* until the new hospitals are erected. The mortality amongst tho European workmen has been small, and, witb the exception of a couple of cases in hospital, their health maybe considered as remarkably good, considering they have gone through the hottest season, when they would be most sobjact to fever. They are to be seen regularly on the .lino and stations at work, where there are also about 800 to 1000 coloured labourer* from Jamaica and other West Indian islands. These latter seem to be enjoying their usual good health, and ana in the beet of spirits, judging from the manner in which passenger* are greeted by them in passing on the Panama Railroad. Tie wages of the labourers are equal to those panel by the Ballroad Company and the different steamship companies on the Isthmus,and there can be no doubt of their bring satisfied with the pay and treatment they receive. If they were not, for a few shillings they could easily return to Jamaica as deckers on any ef the Royal Mail Company's steamers. In Panama and Colon it is quite common to hear them frequently asking at the ebons for sovs, for which they pay as much as fiiols and Sdols fiOcente to get the gold to remit to thrir families, or as less bulky than the silver dollars to keep. On tho whole, it it decidedly clear to ahy impartial and disinterested observer that the work is progressing satisfactorily. In having purchased two-thirds of the shares of the ranam a Railroad Company, tho Intsrooeamo Canal Company ha* thane an excellent investment, and secured the right of appointing the majority of the Directors. It is hoped that it will soon have the entire control, when we may expect a more equitable and justifiable principle than now exists, when a gentleman it made to pay 25d0l for himself and 25d0l for his servant to cross the Isthmus. The rants of dwellingbonne* and places for business in Panama have been doubled and trebled tinea the commencement of the 1 canal operations, and at present there it not a store or shop to be obtained at any price. New buildings are, however, being erected on the did ruins, which have stood for years as monuments to the ravages of tho fires to which the place has so often been subjected, and there is no doubt that a timely stop will be put to the exorbitant and fabulous rents now exacted by proprietors.