The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-02-20

~ $500 ~ -. s-'---" - . ---s ----
lay out work as fast as the contrac-
tors desired, and attend to their 9TH
er indispensable duties.
The difficulty in rc-establShing
centres, laying out work for the con-
tractors, and taking the necessary
notes for correct sectional areas, has
been greatest upon the summit di-
vision, the level for nearly the whole
line Of which has been raised rcqui-
ring much less width of excavation
at surface than upon the original or
deep cut plan. Favorable as the
past season has been for the prose-
cution of work of this character,
there has been much delay and ex-
pcnSe in getting the water from the
surface so that a commencement
could be made on many portions Of
this division of the Canal. There
are many sections and parts Of sec
tons upon which no levels have yet
been taken, and which cannot be
worked with economy until other
parts of the line are finished so that
the water may be drawn off without
pumping.
The jobs to which contractors
were entitled at the estimate of the
Chief Engineer by the act of Febru-
airy Fl lSl3 were awarded on the
22d day of July last, but a COM
mcnccmcnt can scarcely be said to
have been made until the month of
September, the intervening time hay
ing been occupied in making prep
arations for the work. Only par
tial commencement of operation had
however been made before sickness
became generally prevalent along
the whole linSof Canal, and in fact
throughout the western country.
The sickness was not of a fatal char
actcr but so severe as greatly to re-
tard the progress of the work which
had been commenced, and prevent
contractors from beginning who had
not already made a commencement.
The sickness continued to prevail
until some time after measurements
were made for the estimate which
was commenced on tae 10th of Oct.
This fully accounts for the smallneSs
of the estimate made at that time.
which without any deduction for re-
tanned percentage amounted in the
aggregate to only $A7,372 81. But
since the health of the country has
become good there has been a rapit
increase in the force employed upon
the canal, and never perhaps has ar
equal force upon this Improvement
done better execution. The wealth
err has been unusually fine, and the
season SO dry that many section,
have been proitably worked witt
teams which have heretofore beer
deemed too wet for the employment
of this kind Of force. In fact tho
proportion of teams to that of men
employed upon the whole line is mucI
greater than at any former period
and these are now obtained and kept
at such low prices that the cost o
executing ordinary section work i.
much less than formerly.
The work which was offered foI
letting on the 18th of August las
was contracted for at very low rates
\ large number Of contractors were
here from other states and the com
petition for the Jobs was greater thar
at any previous letting on this ca
nal.
The aggregate estimate of the a
mount Of work offered was 500, 461
II and it was awarded to contrac
tors, the aggregate of whose propo
sails was S59,S7S % or for $32,5S2
81 less than the estimates.
1t will at once be perceived tina
the estimates were either conSidcra
bly, above the real value, or that th
proposals offered for the work wer
too low. The awards were howcv
or made to persons who were at thu
time deemed responsible and par
OF whom will undoubtedly execute
their work at their prices. TIL,
number who will fail will Deepen,
much upon the season, the price o
labor, supplies, health &c. but it i
scarcely to be expected that all tn,
work will be completed at the price
for which it had been LET. Three o
the sections then let (No's Is. 10
and 20. have already been declar
cd forfeited and were re.let on tn
22d instant at an advance of ~,
1881 over the letting on the lSt
of August.
There are still a considerable nun
Der of Jobs upon the canal that ar
under contract which have not bee
commenced. A part of these wi
undoubtedly be declared forfeitc
and again offered for contract. Bu
notwithstanding these difficulties tn
section work upon the canal has 70