Visit to the Wainui-o-mata Waterworks
The completion, after nearly three years’ continuous labour, of what is known as the “Long Tunnel,” in connection with the Wainui-o-mata waterworks, was celebrated yesterday with considerable festivity. Mr W. F. Oakes, the contractor for these enormous works, had invited the members of the City Council and the officers of the Corporation to visit the site and inspect a portion of the works, and advantage was taken of the presence of the Japanese man-of-war ‘Riujio’ in these waters to extend the invitation to the officers of that vessel. Accordingly, at half-past 9 o’clock yesterday morning the City Councillors, together with a number of their friends and representatives of the Press, assembled, pursuant to appointment, opposite the City Council Chambers, and were driven out to the Lower Hutt, two four-in-hand ‘busses and five waggonettes being called into requisition for that purpose. The Japanese naval officers, of whom thirteen accepted the invitation to join the party, were conveyed as far as the Lower Hutt station by rail about an hour later, being accompanied thither by the Mayor. At the Lower Hutt the train was met by the cavalcade of vehicles containing the “City Fathers” and other visitors, and the naval guests were transferred into one of the large ‘busses. Without unnecessary delay the journey was resumed, and the procession wended its way toward the site of the “long tunnel” via McNab’s gardens. Here a halt was effected, and the party, which numbered about 80 gentlemen, trooped into the gardens, over which they were shown by the proprietor, who displayed the utmost assiduity in pointing out to the visitors the many beauties which, even at the present season of the year, are to be seen within the boundary of the domain. Nearly half-an-hour was spent in examining the contents of the gardens, and the officers of the ‘Riujio’ did not endeavor to conceal their delight at the condition of the place, especially at the numerous specimens of Japanese plants and flowers to which their attention was particularly directed. The party next proceeded to the site of the wooden bridge which spans the Hutt River, for the purpose of carrying the large water mains required for the water service. From this spot a move was made in due course in the direction of the “Long Tunnel,” a description of which appeared in these columns a few days ago. The tunnel, which is nearly half a mile in length, is intended to carry the pipes through the hill which separates the Wainui-o-mata Valley and the Wellington Harbour, and is pierced through the hill at a point which is situated at a very considerable altitude from the roadlevel. The mouth of the tunnel is reached from the road by means of a wire tram, driven by machinery placed at the terminus above, one track being made to
ascend from the bottom of the hill, while another is made to descend from the top, the two crossing each other at a siding situated at the halfway point. Before attempting to perform the journey up this steep incline a case of champagne was opened, and of this beverage most of the visitors were glad to partake after the hot and dusty ride from the city. At length the trucks began to move. The Mayor, together with as many of the naval officers as could manage to crowd into the truck, were conveyed upwards on the first trip, and their ascent was watched with much anxiety by those below, for the wire-rope appeared anything but equal to the task of hauling up such a stiff incline so heavy a freight. The fears of the spectators, however, were dispelled to a large extent by Mr Oakes, who assured the visitors that the rope would bear a strain of at least five tons. Several members of the party, who were evidently not satisfied with this assurance, preferred to trust to their own legs and hands, and climb up on “all fours” rather than risk the tram ride. No accident occurred, however, till the last trip but one. On that occasion the small truck was filled by eight or nine gentlemen, the majority of whom could have “turned the beam” at more than the average number of stones. Most of the “heavy weights” occupied seats in front, and the consequence was that, when the truck was moving upward, and owing to the precipitous nature of the track almost stood on its end, those sitting at the back received the full benefit of the weight of those in front. It did not excite much surprise therefore to see two gentlemen slip out at the back in anything but a graceful manner. One of them, in fact, was dragged for several yards up the hill, with one leg jammed in the truck and the other grazing the side of the cutting, and a quantity of silver coin fell from his pockets in a continuous stream, marking the line of route. Eventually, however, he got his leg disengaged, and performed the rest of the upward journey on foot. The mouth of the tunnel having been reached, the visitors entered in single file, and traversed it from one end to the other. The experiment proved the reverse of pleasant. The tunnel, to stand upright in which one had to carry his hat in his hand, was ankle-deep in water, in many parts, and as the light afforded by the candles fixed at regular intervals at one side failed to sufficiently illuminate the interior, it may be readily concluded that the procession was very wet in the feet when it emerged from the other side, many persons having become all the wetter through endeavouring to “pick their way,” for the more one tried to avoid the puddles the more certain one was to land in the deepest part of them. A sigh of relief was general when the tunnel had been “done,” and many jokes were made at each other’s expense. A detour was next made over the hill to the mouth of the tunnel, near which a hut, capabale of accommodating about 40 or 50 persons at table, had been decorated both inside and outside with ferns, palms, and flowers, and here a splendid repast had been prepared. The word “Welcome,” worked in evergreens, attracted attention at one end of the room. The place being unable to accommodate the whole of the party at one time, the repast was served in two relays. At the first Mr George Fisher occupied the chair, supported by Captain Ito and the officers of the ‘Riujio’. Numerous toasts were honoured. Notable among those was the health of Captain Ito and his officers, which was responded to at great length by the former, whose speech in the Japanese language was duly interpreted to the assembly, and who concluded by calling for three cheers for the Mayor and Corporation, leading the cheers with a hearty “Hip, hip, hip hurrah!” The Mayor next proposed the health of the contractor, Mr Oakes, who appropriately acknowledged the compliment, and Dr Diver proposed “The City Engineer,” to which Mr J. D. Baird responded. At the second “relay” Councillor Greenfield occupied the chair, and further toasts were honoured, including the health of “The Mayor,” and of the City Engineer, who in his turn proposed the health of the men employed on the work, coupled with the name of Mr James Anderson. Mr C. C. Graham acknowledged the toast of “The corporation Officials,” and Mr Quick the health of “The Guests,” and the concluding toast
