NORTHERN RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 115, 18 May 1927, Page 7

NORTHERN RAILWAY.

MR. COATES SEES PROGRESS. RECEPTION BY EMPLOYEES. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") DARGAVILLE, this day. The Prime Minister yesterday afternoon made a brief inspection of the railway and road construction work at Pukehuia, About 400 men are engaged on the various works, which are now eight months ahead of schedule. It is hoped to have the line opened for traffic to Kirikopuni by next Easter. One of the biggest tasks in hand is the construction of a bridge across the river. This bridge is of seventeen spans, fifteen being required for approaches and two girder buffers for the centre portion, which is being carried on six concrete cylinder pillars. The engineer in charge, Mr. E. A. Gibson, said he expected the bridge would be completed by August. Mr. Coates was given an enthusiastic reception by the Public Works men in the picture theatre, which was decorated for the occasion. The camp pipe band played the Prime 3linister and Mrs. Coates into the theatre. The feature of the reception was that it was an entirely spontaneous effort by the men. Mr. J. G. Findlay, industrial secretarv of the Y.M.C.A., presided. Mr. Coates spoke of tie great chanse in the attitude of the public toward the Public Works men, commenting upon the improvements in the housing conditions and the amenities of the camp in recent years. , The result achieved fully repaid the department for the time acd monev involved.