TUNNELLING AT MANGAHAO.

Shannon News, 6 October 1922, Page 3

TUNNELLING AT MANGAHAO.

NEW ZEALAND RECORD ESTABLISHED.

PROGRESS OF THE WORK

(From Our Own Conti-pendent.)

Splendid progress has been made with tire tunnelling operations during the past month, m me No. 1 tunnci' Messrs. Nash and party, consisting ol seven men, have done particularly

well. During September this party pierced the tunnel a total ol leer, oi which distance some ibO met had to he timbered, and in addition a “layby” Irani track put in. This latter

entails excavating the tunnel extra

width to allow ol the two sets of rails being put down. The country at present being pierced is ui a solt ami wet nature, and has to he closely timbered. Duriug the month the locos, which are of the storage battery type, have been quite a wniie out of commission, and the homes have had. to he requisitioned on Ihe train-

line. The ioreuien 'have had a very strenuous time un 12-iiour shiits, and have done a lull share oi truck push-

ing and tipping the .spoil. Old experienced miners consider that the progress made by the Nash

party or seven constitutes a record as far as tunnelling in New Zealand is concerned, lliat would be very .hard to beat. The concreting of tins tunnel is also being pushed ahead, and is not far behind the working face.

Ihe I\o. 2 tunnel, with Messrs. Devereaux and party ol' eight, men, have also done well, and are at present going through sonic very hard country.

The concreting of this tunnel is also well advanced. Your correspondent had an opportunity of accompanying Foreman Murray on his rounds in each tunnel on Saturday last, and could not hut notice the distinct pro-

gress made. In Hie No, 2 funnel the pumps (belli electrical and air driven) are running beautifully, and satisfactorily dealing with the wafer trouble. This tunnel is pierced lo a distance

of 31 chains 32- feet. The air in both tunnels is quite good. Foreman L Dunn has returned to Wellington, and his place at Arapeti has been taken by Mr W. G. Dally. Mr W. Pickles has been transferred from the River Camp, and is now located at Arapeti. as electrical foreman. A very successful dance was heki in the Y.M.C.A. Hut on Saturday night, a good crowd enjoying the light fantastic.