CATLINS-TAHAKOPA RAILWAY

Evening Star, Issue 14184, 8 October 1909, Page 2

CATLINS-TAHAKOPA RAILWAY

The ordinary meeting of the CatlinsTahakopa Bailway League, held yesterday afternoon, was attended by Mr B. Chisholm (president) and Messrs M. Cohen, C. W. Rattray, W. Taylor, J. B. Bolt, and J. B. Waters (secretary). —Presentation to Mr Cohen.— Mr Chisholm, on behalf of the settlers of Taliakopa, presented to Mr Mark Cohen a gold-mounted walking stick, bearing the inscription: “Presented to Mark Cohen, Ksq., by the settlers of Tahakopa, as a mark of gratitude for his interest in the Catlins Bailway League.” Mr Chisholm said that as a league they extended a hearty Welcome to Mr Cohen —(applause)—and felt great satisfaction in knowing that he was so much improved in health. It was a very great pleasure to hand over the walking stick, which was a local production from the district, and which represented a spontaneous expression by the settlers of their appreciation of the work which Mr Cohen had done for the district.

Mr Cohen, in reply, expressed his appreciation of this token of respect from the good settlers. Apart from this, be was delighted to be back in good health, and had every determination to do all that lay in his power to get the work of the line vigorously prosecuted to its conclusion. —Good Progress.—

Mr J. Christie reported on 17th September that a largo force of men were working at the quarry above Houipapa. The banks of the filling at Thornton’s had met Fanning’s cutting should be finished almost at once, and there was not a great deal to bo done at Hickey’s cutting. Between Papatapu and Thornton’s there were about nine fillings completed or nearing completion, and about four heavy fillings remained unfinished. Great energy was being put into all the work. The big cutting was being worked from both ends, also from the centre. The filling over Blunder Creek was a very heavy one, and was being filled in from'both sides. The cutting furthest up the lino now being worked was at 28-55 ]wg; the culvert furthest up being worked was at 28-77 peg. The tram rails were now laid to 29-58. and the tram formation was finished up to the 29-74-. Logging up and burning off were being carried on near the 30-0 peg. At 50-3 bushfelling without burning off was being carried on, and it was intended to fell the bush and allow it to dry for a while, and then burn off. The idea was an excellent one when practicable, as in this case. There were on the works about 380 meni He understood that a number left a few days ago. Ihe rate of progress uas very 6atisf<actory. Since his former visit nearly all the horse teams had been put off the teams used in carting on the road. However, that woidd not now stay the progress of the work in anv way. It was agreed to thank Mr Christie for his diligence, also that the president and secretary inquire as to the number of men now on the work.