PUBLIC WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 145, 18 June 1912, Page 8

PUBLIC WORKS.

AN ACTIVE POEICY. XORTH ISLAND OPERATIONS. (By Telegraph.—special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, Monday. A comprehensive view of railway construction in the North Island was given by the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. W. D. is. Mac.Donnid) in conversation with mc to-day. He recently visited the North Auckland Main Trunk line, travelling as far an Kaiwaka by rail. Sli miles north of Auckland. He saw the railway bridge being constructed across the Otamaiea near a wharf which wiH give forty feet depth of water. This point will probably lie a birsy one on the line, as launches ami other vessels will be able to bring cargo to the railway, and the line will act as a feeder for the waterway, which sen es a gooj deal of country. The line is well advanced to Sli miles, and is in hand to SSj miles from Auckland. Two tunnels under construction on the last length were inspected by the (Minister, who had with hint the Engineer-in-C-hief of Publi-c Works. A DEBATBD ROUTE. "The work here is somewhat difficult owing to slips." says the Minister, "and I particularly wished to see the tunnels ■because of the controversy about them. After inspection 1 discussed the mutter «ith the engineer-in-chief, who is of opinion that there is no insurmountable difficulty in connection with the route. So far as the t wo tunnels are concerned, they are practically now in safe ground. and he has no f-a.r of their stability. He had to ileal with more diirV.-ult ground on tho Main Trunk line. There are 397 men employed on the North Auckland works, and ever,\ thing is progressing isfactorily.OTHER NORTHERN LINES. "1 was unable :o go to Darg.iville to see -.he Kaihu extension, but 1 am 'niorni'-! iii.:i the hardwood timber for the ori.iires i- expected in .Inly. There are 4-4 men o:i the work-. As for the Kawakawa -Hokianga line. rail., are laid for -even miles out ~f Kawakawa. and the formation is actively in hand for nnuihor seven miles. Bridges are being erected which will enable another three tn i a-ha'f miles of rails ; 0 he laid. There arc :'.l:l men employed. The combined rail and traffic bridge over the Waikaio in connexion with the -Huntly-Awaroa line is being ere.-ted In- contrail, and formation work is- in hand for throe mile.-. The res- ~f ih;' ]j ne i_ being surveyed, and .vhen the location is determined the work will be pushed on speedily. Only -nfli-cn men are working on the Raelibi-Ohakune line, niii-h is under survey. They are doing Ivashfclling and other preliminary jobs, and when the route is surveyed in detail we will increase their numiber. STRATFORD MAIN TRUNK. : "On my recent visit to the Stra: ford [ Main Trunk line 1 found it open to le Whero, '22 miles from Stratford, and it . will be open next month lo Pohu-kura. Rails and ballast are being laid betweeu the :>1 and 44 mile point.-, and bu>hfe.:l- ; :ug has been almost r-i.-mpiered to >\haiig.tmomona (37_ miie-i. but bridges! ha-.e \ci to he built. The completion of] the tunnel will enable material for the - bridges to be got through expeditiously.! The survey party is occupied in locating ; the line into the Tangarikati Oorge 46; mile.s from Stratford. At the Te. Koura end the earthworks are in hand for a couple of miles, ani a service roid is i-r-.:i2 con. true tod which will suit for gcrvr.il niirpi--.es later. EAST •' (l.\s'r RAILWAY. - "The Knsf. t"va.»: line to Auckland starts on d.-.cp water at the .Mount Tauranga and rit'is up the i-as: side of t.ie harbour to Tauranga Junction ifour miles). Rails arc laid two ni'lcs l<cyoud the Junction and thence to Te Puke. Formation work is practically -ompleted a distance of thirteen mile-. The men emraged total 1..">. i ona;ruction work has" also been started on the Waihi-Athenree section of the line. The >ection from G'.sborne to Otoko is going on well, over :;<X) men being employed. Ballast trains nre running to l.akauroa. 40 miles from (.iisborne. Work has commenced at both ends of the Oishorne-Napicr section, and the question of the bridze over the Napier harhour is under the consider;!lion of the engineers. "(hi sum" of the works of the department we have room for more men." «aul the Minister in discussing the general Mate of public works :n the eounirv. "We have about 4.000 men engaged iii road construction, and practical]} all the authorities voted last session ha ve been expended, work in all parts of the Dominion having been rarried on as fast as the supply of labour permit. We wJI maintain -this rate of construction until; further authorities are voted by Par-1 liamenf."