PROGRESS OF THE PANAMA CANAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2770, 8 February 1882, Page 3

PROGRESS OF THE PANAMA CANAL.

Mr J. F. T.Titley, of St Thomas, who has recently returned from a visit to the Isthmus, states concerning the progress of the Panama Canal:— Considering that the Interoceanio Canal Company, although m fait mcctmpli from the time that_ M. de Lessep’s grand scheme of piercing the American Isthmus was placed before the public, was not actually and legally constituted until 4th March this year, it is not to be expected that a great . deal of work has been done. Owing, however, to' the wonderfully 1 good health enjoyed by M. Blanohet the contractor, and the ready and willing co-operation afforded him by the general staff, in his indefatigable intention. to prosecute the work with •lacrity, it will be seen that what has been liccompllshed is evidently more than could under other circumstances have been expected.. Almost the entire surveys have been completed, and a large cutting made from. pne side of the Isthmus to the other in accordance with the plan of the Interoceanio Confress. Plans of the outside and town of anama to the mouth ot the Rio Grande, of the course of the Upper Chagres for about forty to fifty kilometres, and of the River Mindi, from the mouth to the railway, have been taken, as well as a hydrographic plan of the Bay of Panama, with soundings in the bay. A plan has also been completed of Colon, with wharves and buildings, including those of Mstini, and all the studies and observations for the damning of the river Chagres. Three maregraphs (tide measures) have been erected at Colon, Boca, and the Island of Naos. Stations for meteorological observations are established at the same places, as well as at Flamenco.. The jflological structure of the Isthmus has been tested, and the instruments suitable for boring and cutting have been ordered. The results of the geographical examinations have been highly satisfactory owing to their having shown that from Gatun to the Atlantic the proposed course of the canal will bo free from any rocky beds, and on other parts of the course where rocks are found they are of such a nature as to be easily excavated. There are five launches and two steam tugs plying between Gatun and Colon, and a third is used at Panama for hydrographic studies of the bay. Lighters are being constructed at Panama and Colon, and a large pier is being erected at the latter place for the landing of goods and machinery, which are constantly arriving for tl- n omp v. At Maiacc’.u >v transport moo . Ireestablished, and the environ if Cruces are being explored. At ua<.un, which is destined to an important inland port, a largo village has been established where there are houses for engineers, workmen, and laborers. Preparations are being made for the erection of a large hospital at the same

place, and, workshops are als'i being erected on a large scale for repairing dredgers and excavators ; there are two of the latler already constructed there and ready for work: there is also a line of railway from the station to the village to facilitate the conveyance of the building materials. 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 have been made with the foreign hospital in Panama to make certain alterations and improvements for the accommodation of the Company’s servants until the new hospitals are erected. The mortality amongst the European workmen has been small, and with the exception of a couple of cases in hospital their health may he considered as remarkably good, considering they have gone through the hottest season, when they would he most subject to fever. They are to be seen regularly on the line and stations at work, where there are also about 800 to to 1000 colored laborers from Jamaica and other West India islands. “ European Mail.”