682 feet of the bottom heading has been bored (215 feet having been bored prior to that date). This represents an average progress of 384 feet per week over a total period of 9 months. At this rate the bottom heading of the tunnel would not be completed till August 1910, even if no allowance is made for increased difficulties as the Tunnel penetrates further into the heart of the hill. This is practically two years later than the date (September 7th, 1908) shown for the completion of the bottom heading on the Consulting Engineers' drawing. If the bricking in were not proportionately more in arrears than the bottom heading (as I fear it is) the work might be completed at this rate in August, 1911. I trust on the other hand that the approaching dry weather will accelerate progress and also that some little time may be saved by the completion of the shaft and the commencement of lateral borings from it. Even, however, with some acceleration from these causes the figures I have quoted give ground for some misgiving.
Mr. Eves informs me that he spends the whole day in his office and is only able to visit the construction work once or possibly twice in a week.
10. Malaria. Your Lordship will recollect that at this season last year there was a serious epidemic