SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 57, 17 December 1945, Page 2

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

OFFICIAL OPENING GALA DAY IN KAIKOURA (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 16. There is now through rail connection from Bluff to Picton. The last link in the South Island Main Trunk was declared officially open at a ceremony at Kaikoura yesterday.

The bridge of the gap between Wharanui and Parnassus was first projected 70 years ago, and since the work was started it lias been many times stopped and restarted under various governments. Since the present Government took office it has pushed the work ahead steadily in spite of the difficult terrain and delays caused by the war. About a year ago the line was completed to Kaikoura from the north and to Oaro from the south, and the completion of this 15mile stretch which was marked by the ceremony yesterday completed the South Island system. Nelson is the only town not linked to it. Kaikoura had a gala day for the opening, and special trains from Christchurch and Blenheim brought more than ,3000 visitors to the peaceful seaside township. The cutting of the ribbon to allow the ministerial railcar to make the first through trip was performed by Mrs E. J. Monk, wife of the chairman of the Kaikoura County Council, which arranged the celebrations. The speakers at the official opening included chairmen of county councils, including Christchurch, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland), the member for the district (Mr E. P. Meachen) and the Minister of Works and Railways (the Hon. R. Semple). The ceremony included the presentation of a dinner waggon, and a canteen of cutlery to Mr Semple and a china cabinet to Mr Meachen, The Minister subsequently unveiled a plaque erected on the station wall to the memory of eight workmen who lost their lives during the construction of the line.

Statistics The South Island main trunk line had cost £4,645,907 and of that sum £3,004,274 had been spent since work was resumed by the present Government in 1936, said Mr Semple. Among the figures given by the Minister to illustrate the magnitude of the task were the following:

Blue slip—More than 500,000 cubic yards of spoil shifted. Hawkeswood Cutting—More than 300,000 cubic yards shifted. This cutting, which is 53 chains in length, is 63 feet deep and cost £44,000. It is the largest railway cutting in New Zealand. Bridges—Between Wharanui and Parnassus there are 43 bridges totalling approximately two miles' in length. Tunnels —Twenty tunnels aggregate three miles in length. Buildings—The total square footage of buildings erected is 63,021.

Excavations —The total excavation on the section was 3,661,300 square yards and in addition 195,000 yards were excavated for river protection. Control of sand —The line passes through 20 miles of sand dunes between Kaikoura and Wharanui, and this had to be planted with marram grass and lupin. Pinus insignis and Eucalyptus are later to be planted.

Workmen employed —Since reconstruction began in 1936, the average number of workmen engaged until the war made its effect felt was 836. The peak figure of 995 was reached in July, 1937. By June, 1942, only 128 men were on. the job, but this, later rose to 400.

“With the completion of this trunk line the passenger journey from Christchurch to Blenheim is now scheduled to occupy a little more than seven hours compared with nine hours at the beginning of last year,” said the Minister. “Similarly, in the return direction the journey from Blenheim to Christchurch will occupy .seven and a half hours compared >with nine and three-quarter hours a Tittle more than 18 months ago: An excellent through goods service, will also be available to business people and others trading with Christchurch, by which goods leaving Christchurch at 5,30 p. m. will be available at Blenheim at 10.30 a.m. next day. Goods consigned at Blenheim, during the day will be availably at Christchurch for 8 a.m. delivery next day.