FROM WEST TO EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 30, 1 March 1909, Page 4

FROM WEST TO EAST.

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION IN SOUTH ISLAND. OIIRA TUNNEL PROGRESS.

The railway tracks between the West Coast of tbc South Island and Canterbury grow gradually longer in length, with conespondrag shortening of the timo required for travelling. From Hokitika to Cliristehureli, once a three days' journey, may now be traversed in | one long day. The railway extension scheme is reported to be going well, and' tho Public Works Department is said to have 800 men working at railway formation, etc., between Broken Riveand The Cass.

John M'Lcan and Sons, Ltd., tractors for tunnelling Arthur's l'uss. arc making steady progress with their undertaking, according to two director* of the company (Dr. Prendergast lv.iight and 3ir Joseph Joseph), who voturned to Wellington the other day from an official inspection of the woj».s. Dr. luiight told a Post representative that i the electrical plant just installed at the [ Otira end of the tunnel was acting very satisfactorily, and, although the peraia"nenl intake of water for power supply (to drive machinery, compressors, etc.) was not yet completed, the auxiliary supply was giving every satisfaction. 'J'/ie risk of delay or stoppage was guarded against by the provision of everything in duplicate. The drive was now in for thirty chains, and Hie work ol I " widening out" had been commenced, About a chain per week was the average driving progress. There was only j one place in the drive that was at ail damp, and that had been covered over. I At the Otira end there was no drainage I trouble, for the natural incline sufficed.' The steam plant that was formerly used for motive power is now used to provide hot baths for the men, who are supplied with bathrooms and also a big room in which to dry their clothes. Living huts, about 12 x 14, are provided for each two men, and the doctor considers that they are in superior ijuarters to those of the Public Works Department's men between Broken River and The Cass. The tunnel-men's sanitary

arrangements include a complete water «upply and septic tanks. .Mr Gavin, the company's uewly appointed engineer-in-chief, has just taken up his quarters at the works. At the Bealey end of the contract!, things are sot so far advanced, but active steps are being taken to complete the power supply scheme. Piles are now «t the Otira railway station, whence they are being carted over Arthur's Pats to Bealey Flat.