MUCH ACTIVITY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 69, 18 September 1936, Page 4

MUCH ACTIVITY

SOUTH MAIN TRUNK MODERN PLANT AWAITED . (By Telegraph.—-Press, Association.) BLENHEIM, September 17. The number having ; increased weekly since word was given to' resume work, .265 men are now engaged on the northern section of the gap in the South Main Trunk. It is understood that it is planned to have 400 men between ' Wharanui and the Hapuku River near Kaikoura. Of the 265 now working about 100 are at present employed between Wharanui and- the Clarence River clearing the existing formation, removing slips and planting • . marram grass to prevent-sand drifting from the dunes skirting the seashore. It is proposed to complete the section to the Clarence' as early, as possible in order to advance the railhead for the delivery of plant and material further south than Wharanui, which is the present headquarters. . Plans for the Clarence bridge arc nearing completion, and it is expected that tenders for this major work,will be invited shortly. : . , - The main construction-camp sou'h of the Clarence Is now being prepared at Aniseed, where the public works headquarters will shortly be established. A shortage of timber for the workmen's accommodation has been overcome, and over thirty carpenters are engaged in erecting, hutments, recreation halls, and-other buildings. The modern construction. plant, which has-been on order for some time, including six Diesel excavators on creeper.tracks Tyith shovel and dragline equipment, six Diesel five-ton locomotives, as well as air-com-pressors and complete workshop equipment, is expected at the end of October. ■ •