INANGAHUA LOW LEVEL TUNNEL.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1286, 18 June 1883, Page 2

INANGAHUA LOW LEVEL TUNNEL.

The half-yearly meeting of shareholders was held during the week The directors' report showed that the last driving cost £2 per foot, and that the tunnel had now reached a distance of about I,looft. In December last the usual requisition was made to the Government for a subsidy, but the money not being forthcoming" Ifj^fttsdecided to suspend operations" until a satisfactory arrangement was come to with the Government on the subject. Acting on the suggestion of Mr Gordon, Inspector of Mines, the directors prepared a scale of charges for haulage, draiuage, &c.,for mines using the

tunnel. The scale was approved of by nearly all the companies in the vicinity of the tunnel reserve. In the meantime negotiations were carried on regarding the payment of subsidy, and the Government have agreed to the following : — A subsidy on future work of £ for £up to £1,250. The reserve south of the Venus and Fleece leases to be granted to the Tunnel Company as a special claim, at a yearly rental of 2s. 6d. per acre, and the other portion of the reserve to be held for the company for future use. The haulage rates to be 2s. 6d. per ton for quartz, and 6d. per ton for mullock, and a drainage rate of Is. 6d. per acre per week, to be charged to mines deriving benefit. The report was adopted, and a long discussion ensued as to the advisability of procuring rock-borers, so as to hasten the driving of the tunnel, but the matter was finally adjourned for future consideration. It is the intention to call tenders at once for driving a further section of 250 ft., and as the country is very promising the chances of cutting stone within that distance are considered very good.