CATLINS-TAHAKOPA RAILWAY LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 14473, 26 January 1911, Page 7

CATLINS-TAHAKOPA RAILWAY LEAGUE

A special report or. works in progress, rtc., as on the 26th December was made to the meeting of this League this afternoon by Mr J. B. Waters (Ore non. secretary). ITje report reads tln - «; — In company with Mr James Christie, of Table Hill, 1 visited the railway works on the above date, my tour of inspection extending from rail-head near Fapatupu station to the probable terminus of the line at Rimu. Progress of Work.—The rails are laid and the ballast finished to the thirty-mile peg. A few chains further on a heavy (ock cutting i- being pushed through, more than half the work having been accomplished, Most of the formation is finished from that point up to Puketiro station, where the station yard is now being excavated. From Puketiro station to M’Culloch's or Caberfeid station a very heavy piece of work is in progress, the lino passing through heavy bush and across rugged spurs and very deep gullies. The tramway has been formed the whole of the distance and .all material is being brought up by tnr . ; his is of the greatest assistance in carving on the work, especially in connection wi.ir the building of the culverts. . Averv's Creek and at Matai Creetr two very high and lengthy embankments are just being begun. At Avery s Cicck about 40,000 cubic yards of filling will bo required, and at Matai Cieek about 72,000 yards. This section of the line between Puketiro and Caberfeid will be the heaviest piece of work on the Gatlins line, and it is very encouraging to have to report that the work is being carried on most energetically. It is hoped, in fact, that the rails will be laid as far as Calierfeid station in about fifteen mouths. From Caberfeid to M'lntyre’s or Papatovvai station, a distance of about three miles, the bosh is felled, and logging up is being carried on. The line will cross the M'Lennan River by a bridge a few chains from the proposed station at MTutyre's, and it will be necessary later on to see that the contract for the bridge is made in good time, so that the work will not be delayed at that point. The whole of the work along this lino is being pushed on as fast as possible, and everyone expresses themselves thoroughly satisfied with the progress made. After the lino passes Caberfeid the work is comparatively easy, and if the rails reach Caberfeid in fifteen months it should be quite possible to have the line opened to Papatowai in about two years from this date.

Authorisation. —I understand that the authorisation only extends to MTntyrc's, and that it tv ill be necessary to obtain a further authorisation in order to carry the line up to Rimn. The distance from M’lntyre’s to Rimu is not great—probably about five or six miles—/and as the lino will proceed along level country the cost of construction will be light compared with some of the work which has been already undertaken. It would be necessary. however, to have the authorisation as far as Rimu obtained as speedily as possible, so that the settlers in the Tahakopa Valley may know exactly where the line is going, and where the next sidings and stations will probably be. Conveniences for Loading Stock.—lt will le necessary for the Public Works Department to provide some conveniences for loading stock at Puketiro or M’Oulloch s. The matter is one which should be discussed with the department, as it materially affects the interests of the settlers in the districts in question. Conveniences at Papatupu Railway Station.—l was unable to visit this station, but I submit a letter from Mr Gwyn dealing with this matter. Snagging the M'Lennan River.—lt is very necessary that this work should be carried out, and although we received n promise from the Minister that a vote of £SO would be allocated, so far as I can ascertain it has not been done. Steps should be taken to reinstate this vote for next year at least, as when the railway is opened to Caberfeid it will be very necessary to have the river clear as far as the bridge Scenic Reserves.—The bush on the banks 1 the McLennan River has been reserved Jht one chain on either bank. This reserve is not sufficient to protect the bush, and, if possible, it should be increased to a chain and a-half. Some very picturesque falls occur on the Matai Creek within a short distance of Caberfeid station, and easily reached by the Public Works tramway. 1 understand that several other falls occur at a little distance up the creek, and it has been suggested by Mr Widdowson that stops should be taken to reserve a portion of the ground at Table Hill and the watercourse of the Matai Creek. This land is very’ steep and rugged, and of little value for agricultural purposes, and I suggest that the ground should be examined by the authorities with a view to reserving some portion for a scenic resort.

Roads on Block 14, liimu.—Some fifteen settlers who have recently taken up land in this block have no means of access to their sections, us the road lines, although surveyed, have not oven been cleared of timbei'. Mr Malcolm, member for the district, has been doing all he can in this direction, and it is his intention to make a statement to tho meeting on this matter. Any assistance that the League can give in this direction will be much esteemed by these new settlers. A rough sketch map of the railway is submitted herewith, showing tho position of the stations and sidings, etc.