THE ARTHUR’S PASS TUNNEL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2495, 7 May 1909, Page 5

THE ARTHUR’S PASS TUNNEL.

PROGRESS OF THE WORK, SUCCESS OF THE BONUS SXSTEM. [Per Press Association’.] CHRISTCHURCH, May 6. Mr. Murdoch McLean, of John McLean and Sons, Ltd., contractors for the Arthur’s Pass tunnel, was in town to-day and gave the newspaper representatives some information regarding the progress of the great undertaking.At the Otira end work is-going: on favorably, and the workers are satisfied with existing conditions. A start.has been made to widen out the tunnel.: and a large number of additional workers have been engaged, xllready four or five chain;-; of widening out have been done, and it is expected that goou progress will be' made with this work. The concrete foundations and a blockmaking plant have been installed, snu the work of marking,the blocks, wherewith the tunnel is to be lined, has commenced. As soon as the blocks are sufficiently set to allow of their being placed in position, a start will be made with the; lining of the widened-out portion of the tunnel. Great progress is being made, with the heading, between 41 and 42. chains haying been driven to date. This week it is hoped that the total distance driven will be between 78 and 80 feet, in whicn case the 27 or 28 men engaged on the vone will receive between them as a bonus £l3 or £l4. The men are perfectly, satisfied with the bonus system. II hen the ground driven through is exceptionally hard, they are not able to advance more than 60 feet or 66 *eet in a week, though working with equal zeal. "When ground is good they can advance at the rate of 70 to 8Q feptT H‘f week, and for all m addition to GG feet thev receive a bonus. By tnis means thev get the full benefit of the good ground. If the nature of the ground does not permit them to do ob feet thev do not receive loss in wage 3. In Mr. McLean’s opinion, the men. even if thev did not get a bonus, wou.a do just 36* much work, as they arc a good class of men. “It has been stated by labor agitators,” continued Mr. McLean, ’That those men, bv their exertions rud by doing extra work, arc robbing other employment, but as a matterof fact." as' far as this particular instance is concerned, it would be impossible to employ more men than are employed, owing to the space being confined.” Regarding the hydro-electrical installation at the Otira end, Mr. McLean, said that it is working very successfully. and there has not been a hitch e-inee it started. - A good deal of work has been done at the Beale.v end of the The pipes are laid to the mouth or the tunnels on the top of th'e rise, and tlie funning through the tunnels, which is to convey water to the pipe-head is almost completed. The cables are alt' fixed in position on tlie poles between the power-house and the compressorhouse. Generators.. Peiton wheels, and compressors are in position, and it iv hoped to start work at the heading of the Bealey end of the tunnel in a •fortnight’s time.