AUCKLAND RAILWAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 247, 18 October 1922, Page 8

AUCKLAND RAILWAYS.

LAST YEAR'S PROGRESS. THE MINISTER'S REVIEW. (By Telegraph. —Parliamentary r.eporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The annual Public Works Statement devotes much of its space to the progress of railways during the year. It states that on the North Auckland line the Golden Stairs tunnel has within the last few days 'been pierceel through on the bottom heading. The heavy work referred to in my last statement, 'between the railheads running north from Auckland and south from Whangarei. is now so far advanced that rails should be laid over the whole length, with the exception of a mile, by the end of the year; and shortly thereafter the through connection of l.'lO miles of line will be made between Auckland and Wbangarei. Owing, however, to the extremely unstable nature .of the country in this locality it will probably be many months (before the formation e-an be brought to a condition of stability to enable the line to be worked by the Railways Department. KAIHI" RAILWAY EXTENSION:. Formation, except a small portion of road approaches at Aranga and Donnelly's, is complete. I'latelaying on the main line and at Aranga and Donnelly's station-Yards has ibeen finUhed. The final lifts of ballast have been completeel except at the two station-yards. It Is anticipated that this section will lie handed over this year. This section will be ready to transfer to the Xew Zealand Railways em completion eif the bridges at 21 miles 24 chains and 22 miles Go chains.

WH.Wi.AREI BRANCH. f>ll the Oiikleigh section the deviation at 7 mile-< 15 chains has been completed and the rails on either side connected, liiillasting has .been finished and efficiently maintained. On the Tauraroi) section work has been confined chiefly to removal of slips and maintenance. One large embankment at 0 miles "."> chains gavp considerable trouble through subsidence, which necessitated drainage drives to reach the seat of trouble. Tlie output of the Tauraroa crushing plant was over 21,000 yards. On the Waiotira section two deviations have been made to avoid dangerous ground. These deviations have proved satisfactory. A drainage drive \\a.s constructed in the bank at 17 miles 10 chains, which has prevented further subsidences. NORTH AIVKLAXn MAIN" TRUNK.

On the I'iiparewa section second and third lifts of ballast have been placed on tho main lino throughout, which completes this section, with the exception of plate-laying, ballasting, and buildings in I'aparoa station-yard. Workmen on the Miireretu section were concentrated during the year, ami considerable progress wiie made. Fifty horses were transferred from the Whanptari'i end for plough and scoop work, with excellent results. Enlarging and lining (iolden Stairs tunnel (south end) was commenced last July, the position now being that I 2£ chains of lining are completed. A subsidence in the first length caused further delay. Working conditions at both ends of this tunnel are good. The men appear to 'be contented, and at the present rate of progress the remaining IU chains of lining should l>e finished by tile end of Xovember. Suitable labour was concentrated on the erection of Mnngawai River bridge. Considerable difficulty iva« experienced with pile-driving on account of the soft ground, which necessitated pile cradling and splicing. This portion of the construction, however, is practically finished. temporary staging and other preliminary work has been done in connection with Kikowhiti hridge erec-' tion, and pile-driving is being commenced. The 'bridpv should be completed" in three months. Hetween 102 miles 43 chains and 10: i miles 0 chains a deviation had to be made, as practically the whole locality was slipping, so much so that large cuttings wore completely filled. The Waiotira station-yard was completed with two steam-shovels, which excavated 30.000 cubic yards to make up the required filling. ' The Mareretu tunnel was completed last April, 13} chains having l>eeii lined during the year and one portal built. Slips on the Okaihau section have caused trouble. The measures taken to cope with these have proved effective. Kails are being laid in Okaihaii station-yard, (foods traffic has been commenced, and within a few weeks | it is intended to commence a passenger service, which will b<, a great benefit, particularly to Hokianga residents.

EAST COAST MATN TRUNK. On the Kast Const Main Trunk line Tauranga cast wards—pood progress has been made; while as to the westwards section, between Tauranpa and Katikati, the Department is pushing ahead with the preparation of plans for work to enable the isolated section of over forty miles from Tauranga eastwards to be connected up with the general working railways system. Tenders will shortly be invited for the construction of thi*s twenty-two-mile sect ion.

On the AtliPnree section formation is practically complete. Several cuttings and banks have been completed. Athenree station yard has been widened, and filling around abutment "A" of Manga toe toe bridge is in hand. Seven bridges are in various stages of construction.

Satisfactory progress has been made with the Tauranga Harbour bridge.

On the Rangitaiki section puttings have boon widened, over a mile of drains ••lit, and the approach road to the Rangitaiki station put in hand. Three steam .shovels were in operation at different times at Awakaponga. the spoil being deposited in the several banks along the line. Many culverts have been built, and one bridge completed. On the Taneatua section 100 chains of formation have been completed during the year, culverts erected, and necessary drains cut. The railhead is now 32 miles from Tauranga. STRATFORD MAIN TRUNK. On the Matiere section platelaving was commenced in November last, and on May 23 of this year the line. 10 miles 2:t chains in length, was formally opened for poods and passenger traffic under the Department's control. One lift of ballast has been laid over the whole length, and a commencement made with the second. The Ongarue combined bridge was finally completed during the year. It consists of two decks: the upper, which carries the railway, has two central (iOft trusses, outflanked by one 45ft and one 2">ft steel-plate girder at each end. The lower or vehicular traffic deck is carried on the bottom chords of two GOft trusses. The concrete work on three of the Ohura River bridges has been completed, and temporary superstructures have been provided to carry the traffic. The fourth Ohura crossing is provided with a temporary structure to carry the traffic. The excavation for foundations of the permanent piers for this bridge has been commenced. The steel work for tliiioe four bridges is beiug prepared in

the Mount workshops, Tauranga. Two subways have been completed, one to zive access for a sawmill tramway, and the other for the Otahu access road. The principal work remaining to be Jone comprises completion of ballasting, ' finishing bridges, Tuhua and Matiere station yards, and the necessary buildings at these two stations. THE GENERAL VOTE. Following are the votes for railwayconstruction, together with the expenditure during 1021-22: —

Vote. Expended. 1022-23. 1921-22. £ £ Kalhu extension 10,000 14,402 North Auck. Main Trunk— Iluarnu. northwards 230.000 205,565 Whangarei branch ... 25.000 29,232 Waipn branch ...OOO 3.961 Waiuku branch 7.000 ..4,110 lluntlv branch 35.000 23.227 East ("oast Main Trunk — l'aeroa-I'okeno 3,000 — Walhi-Taneatila 24O.00O 100.7*1 Glsborne-Napler 60.000 58.398 Walkokopu branch .. 150.000 loi.ioo opunake branch 50 000 24.011 Stratford-Main Trunk 60,00,1 4o,892 Midland — Olenbope-Murchison IS WO 1fi,C69 Otlra-Bealey .Tifr-PflO. 103,671 Westport-InauRahua •- lO.iKW — Greymouth-Port Elizabeth 15.000 20.505 OtaKO Central 1.000 4,162 Orepuki-Waiau exten. 10.00i> M.S97 I.awrence-Roxhurch .. ejO.OOO 22,860 Land claims and other liabilities 2,coo 2,329 teria'is .". 200.000 257.962 1,562.000 Less estimated credits 62.000 Totals £ 1,500.000 £1,276,820 Additions to Open Lines. Way and Works BranchNorth Island main lines and branches 117.000 230,066 South Island main lines anel branches 83.000 106 0=9 Whanirarei section .. — 2 839 Siznal ccar. •'tc 100,000 30,148 Locomotive Branch — Holllne stock 1SO.O0O 226.242 Workshons machinery 20,000 8,156 Locomotives and waeons constructed In 1'nited Kingdom .. 340.0<X) 1,252.240 locomotives c o nstrneted ln NewZealand 50.000 — £SOO.eioo Less estimated credits 40,000 Totals £S50.000 £1.850.380