OXFORD RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 155, 2 December 1874, Page 2

OXFORD RAILWAY.

The completion of the Rangiora-Oxford branch line of narrow-gauge railway has been looked forward to for some time, particularly by the saw-mill owners at Oxford, who arc said to be anxious to scud to market vast quantities of timber. The district through which it runs is also an important agricultural and pastoral one. It is laid out from the present Rangiora railway station—which however might, by the way, have been more conveniently arranged to accommodate all trains at one platform —thence past the Club Hotel, through the back of the township, and out on to the Rangiora-Oxford main road behind the Plough Inn. The line is then laid along this road to the Mooraki Downs, where it is taken around the hill to obviate the necessity for a heavy cutting. From Rangiora to the Oust bridge the formation has been finished and metals put down for one or two months. This part of the way was contracted for and carried out by Mr E. G. Wright. The bridge over the Oust is a timber structure. Prom this point to Oxford the contract for the work was taken by Mr Joseph Taylor in March last for about £II,OOO to form the road and lay the permanent way by November, and within this time his contract would have been finished but for the delay connected with the deviation at Mocraki Downs, only thought of after the contract had been entered upon. Mr Taylor, however, appears confident that he can have the Hue open through to Oxford in seven or eight weeks, Yesterday, the length taken over by the Government, and thrown open for traffic, extends to the Oust station, 11 miles 50 chains from Raugiora. Before 9 a.m., a train of four carriages and brake van, attached to a small locomotive, built by Dubbs, Dundee, with Bin cylinder, 16in stroke, of 15 miles an hour average speed, and capable of drawing 120 tons, was drawn up to the platform. The engine was driven by R. Haworth. Among the passengers were Mr Maude, Secretary for Public Works; Mr Lawson, manager of railways; Mr Knight, inspector of permanent way; Mr Svvinton, inspector of rolling stock; Mr Clark, clerk of works; Mr R, P. (Jrosbie, cashier; Messrs Triphook and

Lock, assistant engineers of the line, and others. At the hour named the train started, reaching its destination at the Cust at ten o'clock. The journey down the line was in reality up-hill, as the latter station is said to be 630 feet above Rangiorn, and this incline is maintained to Oxford. Progress made appeared slow, the quantity of coal used in the engine being also necessarily more than on the return, when the train might have run up the line on the gradient without steam. On the road the horses in drays were very shy of the locomotive, although in each instance timely notice was given by the whistle of the train approaching, and the hissing steam shut off. Persons in charge of teams were noticed to have some trouble to keep their horses from bolting. The train stopped at Fernside, close to Mr Fennell's store, at which the station is erected. It is probable that Mr Fennell will be appointed stationmaster here, at any rate for a time. A galvanised iron covered grain store has here been erected in readiness for the opening of the traffic. Passsing over the Gust bridge a timber structure—at which a supply of water was taken for the engine, the tanks at Gust not having been erected, although the sinking of well and so forth have been contracted for, the next station, that opposite Springbank, the residence of Mr Robert Chapman, is named " Moeraki." Here, in addition to the station master's house, ticket office, and waiting room, is also erected a galvanized iron covered storage shed 41 x 41ft in area. Leaving this and the agricultural laud the road to the Cust is through tussocky land and the incline becomes greater. As the train approaches the station it passes the only real piece of cutting in the whole distance, and which seems to have given the contractor a supply of valuable ballast. At the station, the master's house, office, waiting room, &c, have been finished, roads to the station (a heavy job) and goods shed, the erection of the storage shed, 41 x 45ft, similar to the one at Moraki are being proceeded with as fast as possible. The train having come to a stand the company were invited by the contractor to lunch at Messent's Halfway House Hotel. About twenty-five sat down to an excellent spread afterwards. Mr Maude proposed the health of Mr Taylor,'the contractor for the line, noticing that they were indebted to him for the successful completion of the line thus far. He also hoped that the opening of these branch lines, twelve miles of which had now been opened in this direction and twenty-four to the Malvern hills that day, would be found to be of great benefit to the country. The toast was drunk with honors. Mr Taylor, thanking the company, said the formation was finished to the Hill of Plenty, and in a few weeks more he trusted to sec those present meet in a similar way at Oxford. [Cheers.] Mr H. Blackett proposed the toast of the " Provincial Executive and Mr Maude," observing that this gentleman had taken a deep interest in the extension of the line. The toast was drank with honors. Mr Maude thanked the company, saying he had cause for complaint against the Executive when they had left him to do all the speaking, while three of them had gone to the Malvern. They would all, however, appreciate the compliment of the toast, and trusted the public of that district would avail themselves of the advantages of the rail way. The health of Mr Lawson, the recently arrived Manager of Railways, was drunk with enthusiasm, and in response he said he felt proud to make the acquaintance of the people of that district. As railway manager, he intended leaving nothing wanting on his part to further the interests of the railways. Mr Triphook proposed " The health of the inspector of permanent way," expressing a hope that the inspector would have the pleasure of passing over several more miles of narrow gauge. He observed that the Government had taken a prudent course in carrying out these lines, and only the expediency of using the present rolling stock appeared to prevent their making the narrow gauge universal. Hereafter it would be seen that Mr Maude's suggestion to make the narrow gauge from Kangiora to Amberly was a good one. Mr Knight briefly replied to the toast. Mr Blackett proposed—" Success to the Oxford railway," drank with three times three. The healths of Messrs Triphook, Lock, and Blackett were next proposed. In proposing the former, Mr R. P. Crosby noticed that that day was the eleventh anniversary of the opening of the Christchurch and Lyttelton line to Ferrymead. "The Press" and Mr J. Lowthian Wilson, who replied, and the " Host and Hostess," It having been pointed out to the manager of railways, that the time for the running of the train, as advertised, would not meet the requirements of the district, he has since issued a new table, to take effect on and after Monday next. Trains connecting with the Northern line leaving, the Cust at 7.45 a.m. and 4.40 p.m., returning to Cust at 10.10 a.m. and 7 p.m., which arrangement is a most satisfactory one.