NO. 1 TUNNEL NEARLY THROUGH.

Shannon News, 9 March 1923, Page 3

NO. 1 TUNNEL NEARLY THROUGH.

THE HYDRO MAILS.

MANGAHAO NOTES,

Yesterday (Thursday) there remained only between 20 and 30ft to be pierced of the No. 1 tunnel. The driving is at present very hard, but Messrs. Nash and party are hopeful of completing the job about Monday next.

The test shaft sunk alongside the Arapeti dam is down over 60ft, nothing solid having been struck so far. Compressed .air is now supplied for ventilating purposes. A petition to the Postmaster-Gene-ral asking for a better arrangement for mail transport, is being widely signed by workers at the three camps above Arapeti. These residents are served by the hydro office and are more inconvenienced than anyone. A notification from to-day intimates that the mail will close here at 1.30 p.m. This is one and a-half hours earlier than was usual. ■'

Business is brisk in the building line at Arapeti. Overseer McDonald’s house is nearing completion. Overseer Hinton ha® almost got ’’perpetual motion” with the hammer and nails, and is utilising the moonlight to get his “bungalow” ready for habitation. Overseer Hjorth has also be-, come a “knight of the. hammer;” and is putting all spare time in erecting a garage to house his new “Lizzie.” A very successful social evening was held in the Y.M.C.A. recreation hut on Wednesday evening. A fine crowd of ladies were present rnd joined heartily with the workers in the Jight fantastic. Floor, music and supper were excellent, and M.C. Masters carried out his duties in his usual efficient manner.

Great interest is being taken in-'the tug-of-war contest, and some keenlycontested pulls are expected.