Progress of the work—1882. In the course of this year we also established a telephone from the works under the river to the Gloucestershire side. The first day it was at work it was, I believe, the means of averting a strike, for just as the principal foreman happened to go into one cabin, a discontented ganger entered the other, swearing and grumbling, and saying what he would do if some fancied grievance were not put right, and what he would advise the men to do. He little thought all he was saying was heard by his ‘boss;’ but his instant dismissal prevented further mischief.
During the year 1880 the progress which could be made with the works was only at the rate of about £4,000 worth of work done per month.
During the year 1881 the progress after the water was got out, but while the operations were confined to the work under the ‘Shoots’ and to the new shafts, was only at the rate of about £7,000 per month; but directly permission to proceed with the whole of the works was given, the progress rose rapidly, and was £11,000 in the month of January, 1882, and £23,000 per month before the end of the year.
In the beginning of 1882 one of the largest of the cottages had been temporarily converted into a cottage hospital, with a nurse employed to carry on a proper system of nursing under the doctor in charge.
An arrangement had been made with Dr. Lawrence, one of the leading doctors in Chepstow, to take entire charge of the men upon the work, and