THE OTIRA TUNNFI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 3

THE OTIRA TUNNFI.

WELLINGTON, August 13. , Mr Murdoch M'Lean, who is passing through Wellington on his "way to Auckland, states that the Otira tunnel work is making _ good progress. At the Otira end the tunnel was §3 chains in on the lower portion. Since he left the work, Mr i M'Lean had received reports to the effect , that the " country " waa rather hard, and the progress was not quite up to the average. "But this," added Mr M'Lean, j "is what we expected,- because in the country we have gone through > so far we have met with hard patches, and after a few chains it generally, pinches out, and we get into firm, good ground again. The portals are in for about one chain and a-half, and the arch work is, completed, and the concrete lining work will now go on continuously. About 15 chains is widened out to the full width of the tunn«l. This work is going on in four different places. We are making about the same ' advance — namely, about 66ft a week. All the plant now erected at the Otira end of the work, and is running satisfactorily." "At the Bealey end," Mr M'Lean continued, "we a.re now in about three chains, driving a heading 12ft by 9ft. The plant necessary to produce the power k> drive the drills and for j other work in connection with the contract at the Bealey end is completed; and is working smoothly. Contrary to expectations, we have so far met with no water, but we anticipate getting it as soon as we go below the level of the river." .