THE VARIOUS ROUTES.

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 45, 21 February 1917, Page 12

THE VARIOUS ROUTES.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS.

DEVIATION AND COAST LINE.

According to the engineers, one of the most favoured deviations is the Tauhere-nikau-Woodside route. It follows the existing line to the Upper Hutt, then starts to deviate, and passes over the* saddle at Emerald Hill; then, climbing all the time along the hills, passes through the ridge into the Kaitoke Valley, thence runs along and crosses the Pakuratahi stream and tunnels through the divide between the Pakuratahi and the Tauherenikau rivers, thence, passes down Smith's Creek, a tributary of the Tauherenikau; then follows down the Tauherenikau, and joins the 1 existing line ai> Woodside, ■where the Greytown branch leaves tho main Hue. It is stated that this Is tho route the line should have been taken originally, instead of over, the Rimutaka, .but for certain pressure from Featherston, or those interested in that district. There is an alternative-to tho. Tauheronikau route by following the old coach road and joining the existing -line either at Feni&ide or Woodside. The estimate of the cost of the conversion of the line from Upper Hutt via Tauherenikau to Woodside was £325,000 when the survey was made. This estimate will have to be increased before it can apply now. ■ . ■ : ■ BELMONT-WAINUI-0-MATA. This deviation starts from a point between Petpne" and Belmont, goes thence towards Wainui-o-niata, tunnels through the ridge at the back of Lbwry'Bay, then it follows,- up the Wainui-o-mata Kiver and tunnels through the Rimutaka into the Wairongomai Valley, . passes along tho western side of the Wairarapa Lake, and joins the existing line at Pigeon Bush..- There is a tunnel . 3 ■ miles 50 chains in length through the main divide, but tunnelling will bo necessary in all the deviations. 'When it was surveyed tho estimate of the cost of this line was £460,000, but that estimate will also have to be Increased. MASTEETON-WAIPUKOEAU EAILWAY. The route of the Masterton-Waipuku-rau lino is almost midway between the existing railway and the East Coast. It passes nea,r Pongaroa and Weber. A survey has not yet been made of the route from Weber to Waipukurau. The route runs .through easy country, the highest point being at the Eakaunui trig station, 39 miles from Masterton. This is nearly 1100 ft high. Tho engineer who made the survey recommends a tunnel ten or twelve chains in length to reduce the height to 990 ft. ' The grade at each end of the tunnel to the bottom of the hill would only_ be one in fifty! The route lies practically through, the centre of tho land held by tho Crown tenants from Waterfalls to Waipukurau-^a, distance of 50 miles or more, and passes through the townships of Eakaunui, Pongoroa, Waione, Weber, and other centres. Tho route from Masfcerton to Waterfalls would pass through several large* estates, most of which would be cut up' into'small holdings,, and so bo. more highly productive. The- ship of country through which the railway would pass is said by-.one. who knows it well to be some of the finest pastoral country in the Dominion, and,- if -served by a. railway, the output of the district would probably soon be doubled. There -would soon bo a, very, big export trade in fat lambs, and dairying 'and agriculture generally would- receive a, great impetus.