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Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20273, 26 June 1931, Page 11

line, and two steam shovels, four locomotives, and several air compressors for rock drilling, are in use. The railhead has reached Briny Creek, eight miles south of Wliaranui. Three miles south of this point the bridge over Dead Man's Creek, which will be of five 30ft spans, is under construction. This and the bridges over the Woodbank Creek, n mile and a half nearer Kaikoura (three 2oft spans) and over the Washdyke Creek (four 30ft spans) will be completed by Christmas. They are the only obstacles to finishing the permanent way as far as the Clarence River, a work which should be completed by the end of the year. At the southern end of the stretch under construction, all of the creeks have been bridged as far as Wajpapa Bay, the new advance headquarters. It is quite possible that all of the staff will be moved there from Wliaranui this year. Between the Clarence and Waipapa Bay all of the formation except for one short stretch, has also been made; but the construction of two culverts required has not yet been commenced. South of the Clarence Biver. Final plans have been made for the ten miles south of the Clarence River, and work has been opened up throughout the length, except for the southernmost mile. Small bridges will be needed over the Limestone, Black Miller, Ohau, and Aniseed creeks. A start had been made on the approaches to the four tunnels which are to be driven, including one at the Ohau Bluff, 241 chains long. On this portion the earthwork will be particularly heavy. Fqt about eight miles south of Waipapa Bay the filling required for the formation will be at least 70,000 yards per mile. Included in this is the reconstruction of the road, which will be altered to the seaward side between Waipapa Bay and Matogamaunu. To-day's inspection shewed that the storm yesterday was responsible for a considerable amount of damage. Gravel was driven with such a force that one motorist, on examining bis car this morning, found that the windscreen was ruined, every square inch having been chipped by flying stones.

Great Responsibility. Asked if he would care to comment On what the Board members had seen during the day, Colonel Esson said tonight tha,t the Board realised that it had a very great responsibility and could do nothing in a hurry. "We have our thinking caps on, and will give full consideration to , all aspects of a question which is of great importance," he said. The Board would have no time to receive deputations; but it was prepared to hear evidence for or against the continuance of work on the line, when it reached Wellington, and would consider information submitted in writing. Its recommendation would be communicated to the Parliament in a report. After inspecting the Parnassus end of the line, the Board will continue the journey to Christchurch to-morrow, leaving at night for Wellington.

REPORT TO BOARD CLIFFORD BAY AS TERMINAL. LINE SHOULD SHOW PROFIT. [From Oub Pabmamentaby Coeesspondknt.] WELLINGTON, June 25, A Departmental report about which strict secrecy is being observed is believed to estimate an-annual operating profit of £50,000 from the South Island Main Trunk if completed through the. new Clifford Bay terminus. The report, which was very recently completed by Public Works officers, is one of the most thorough drafted by Departmental experts, and thei conclusions reached place a different complexion on the arguments affectiifg .the project. The report hinges on making Clifford Bay the northern terminal, not Picton as originally intended. The latest proposal is that a branch line should be constructed from Hauwai to Clifford Bay, about i'our miles, and that port facilities should .be provided there to accommodate ferry steamers. The opinion of the officials is that instead of an annual loss of £IOO,OOO on the operation of the line as estimated when Picton was proposed as the terminal, it is now possible to show an annual profit of £50,000 if the route is changed to eliminate the use of the greater part of the line between Wharanui and Picton. It is also argued that the estimated capital cost of completion, originally estimated, a/t £2,581,000, could be reduced by £70,000 or £90,000 by establishing the northern terminal at Clifford Buy. The Railways Board is now inspecting the country, and it is understood that should the Board decide to complete the work it will be influenced by the report, and Clifford Bay almost certainly will be made the terminusBeducod Travelling Tims. Recognising that operation of the line as first proposed would prove unsatisfactory financially, experts have drafted & plan the aim of which has been to demonstrate that travelling times can be reduced materially and profits can be shown against prospective losses. In addition it is argued that Marlborough province will benefit considerably, Ana it is believed a development value of about £200,000 could be brought about. A return presented to Parliament last year showed that the line would return a net annual revenue of £35,160, on the assumption that 60,000 passengers per year would travel from Wellington to Christchurch by the new route in preference to the 'WellingtonLyttelton route. By establishing the -terminus at Clifford Bay the number of travellers, it is believed, would be greatly increased, in view of the quick passage x that can be made across - the Strait, gnd the fact that Auckland would be brought within 20 hours of Christchurch. Admiralty charts show an ample depth of water at Clifford Bay to take ocean liners, and that there will be no trouble in regard to ferry traffic. A fast ferry service between Wellington and Clifford Bay, 40 miles, as against over 50 miles from Wellington to Picton, is aimed at. The former route could bo covered in about 90 minutes, but a much longer time is oecu pied on the devious Wellington-Picton journey. The report points out that Clifford Bay is almost directly opposite Wellington, and the ferry steamer using the route would reduce the crossing in the notoriously uncertain _ waters of Cook Strait to below the time occupied on the Picton trip. Port facilities at Clifford Bay will be necessary. It is believed the report estimates that a breakwater similar to Timaru will have to be built at a cost of about £200,000. Developmental Possibilities. Importance is attached- to the developmental possibilities of this and other lines, some of which arc maintained even at a heavy for this reason. The Tauranga line is cited as •a «sausgl% ma tite