MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 283, 5 June 1907, Page 4

MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

In connection with the opening of tho Mataroa section of the North Isknd Mail Trunk Railway on Sat .urday, the departirrnt supplies t -ha following infvrmati •; : - Th« Tai-hape-Mataroa section of the North Island Main Trurk Railway is some fire and throe-quarter miles long. The work on^this section is of a fairly heavy character, pome of the cuttings running up to 45 feet in depth, and banks to 70 feet >n height. There are two tunnels on the section, one of which is 120 yarda and the other 660 yards in length. In addition to these tunnels there is also a small water tunnel, 271 feel long, to take the waters of tho Unoarua stream. Tho line has been opened to Mataroa for goods traffic since the end of May last year, and goods are noiv carried as far as possible beyond that point. The total distance between Wellington and Auckland by rail will be 426 miles. Of this distance 336 miles are now open for traffic, leaving a gap still to open of 90 miles. The section from Taihape to Mataroa, five and three-quarter miles, is now being opwned for traffic, and a further length of 18 miles will probably be ready for opening within a few months. The*e two lengths, togethev with a further distarce of about 25 miles at the north end botwwen Taumarunui and Rauiimu hi which goods triffic is flso being carried, and the farther section between Waiourn and Rangitaua (10 milc.«A on which the rails are alruady laid, i educes the gap (on which oon*i<li irable construction work still nnuwns to be done) to about 32 mih» Tho whole of the works along this distance are manned so as to ensure their completion by the end •>{ next yr ar,*and a considerable part nf the construction is so far advanced that it is anticipated by January next that the distance between the railbeads will be redtced to only 12 miles. Total expenditure to 3 1st March last, £2,139,326. Number of workmen at present, 1937.