Tunnel Superintendent's office,
Shatin, 9th October, 1907
To The Chief Resident Engineer,
Kowloon-Canton Railway.
Dear Sir,
IN reply to your letter No. 1087/07/4 of 7th instant, I beg to report for His Excellency the Governor's information:-
(A). The system in operation, namely of driving Bottom and Top Headings and frequent Break-ups is, in my opinion, the right and proper way, especially as soon as we can get those systems into a proper way of working, which we are struggling to do as fast as we can, but I may not perhaps be able to properly interpret the terms of economy and rapidity. If the Tunnel is to be made for the least possible amount of money, it must be extended over a longer period of time; a less number of Break-ups and working faces would do, but if time saving means economy, then it is necessary to get in Break-ups at say every 300 feet, or less, and have more working faces and force and follow up the forward headings as fast as possible.
(B). In order to do this, all the European supervision I asked for in my letter No. 6 of 29th August, 1907, to the Chief Resident Engineer, would be necessary, and which men I understand are coming out, viz: 1 Walking Ganger Miner for South Face; then by making charge men of the miners we have here, we may manage for mining.
But it is necessary that we get from England at least two good shunters; these should be what are termed in England "Dog Slashers", men thoroughly accustomed to Railway Contractor's traffic work. "Ordinary Railway Shunters" would be of no use, as they would require to be taught their work. But I think with two of these men from England, one for each face,
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Page 712
Y 900 FT.
Ronclosure 6.