The Lyttelton tunnel was pierced on the 24th May, 1867, the rate of excavation being from 5 1/2ft. to 6ft. per day. At 4 p.m. on the 23rd May, when it was estimated that seven to 10 yards still remained to be driven, a heavy charge fired at the Lyttelton end cracked the face at the Heath-cote end, and at 6.30 a.m. on the 24th, the Lyttelton miners broke into a drill hole driven from the Heathcote end. They passed an iron rod through this hole, and thus made the first through communication. The distance between the faces was then 14ft., and the levels and alignment were apparently correct. At 3 a.m. on 29th May the Lyttelton gang made a passable breach and rushed through to Heathcote, where they paid a visit to Mr. Holmes (of Geo. Holmes and Co., the contractors) at his residence. He congratulated them, and entertained them at breakfast. There had been considerable rivalry between the opposing gangs as to which should first break through, and the Lyttelton men thus obtained the credit of being successful in establishing through communication.