224 J. E. Macnellan, C.E.— On [Oct. 26-,. 



when once on to the puddle, they sank for several feet, and it was 

 then a matter of great difficulty and loss of time to extricate them. 



The earthwork of the embankment Avas made in layers of about 

 1 foot thick and well beaten down with heavy rammers before the 

 next was laid on it. The best material was selected and placed to 

 form the water side of the bank, extending back to the puddle core. 

 No stones or shale were allowed on this part of the work, but could 

 be placed behind the core of the bank, due care being taken that 

 there was sufficient fine material to make the mass solid. 



The embankment was formed in concave layers, that is to say, 

 the bank was kept from 2 to 3 feet higher on the outside, sloping 

 downwards to the puddle core. This method makes the bank more 

 solid and tends to prevent slips, and should always be adopted, the 

 extra trouble being more than compensated for by having a stronger 

 bank, with the same material. 



The contractor, not being a man to lose time or waste opportunities, 

 took advantage of moon-light nights to bring on the earthwork. This 

 was entirely confined to men who owned one or two spans of bullocks, 

 one span working during the day, and the other at night. He paid 

 for the work done at so much per load, brought on to the bank, a 

 certain number of loads being fixed as a minimum, for men had to 

 be employed in spreading and ramming the ground. In order to keep 

 tally of the number of loads, each driver received a ticket from the 

 man in charge when he tipped his load, and when the number of 

 tickets reached ten, they were exchanged for another representing 

 ten, and in the same way when these reached ten, they were given 

 up for one worth 100. These tickets were presented at the contrac- 

 tor's office at the end of the week and paid for according to the rate 

 per load. This system worked well and a large amount of work was 

 thus done. When the bank had been raised to a convenient height 

 levelled pegs were put in, and the front and back slopes trimmed ta 

 their respective batters of 3 to 1 and 2 to 1. The front slope was then 

 covered to a thickness of 18 inches, with a layer of stones and small, 

 boulders, on which was placed the pitching of stones 12 inches thick.. 



To guide the men in laying the pitching properlj^, pegs were placed 

 at intervals of aboui 30 feet along the bank, and about 20 feet apart 

 down the slope, on which stout cords were stretched, thus giving 

 the proper level and slope. When the pitching was finished a layer of 

 small stones or gravel was spread over it and raked about to fill in the- 

 interstices between the stones. 



