RAIL EXTENSION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1938, Page 4

RAIL EXTENSION

SOUTH iSLAND MAIN TRUNK. GOOD PROGRESS WITH WORK. (Per Press Association— Copyright;. BLENHEIM, June 20. B v Christmas the railhead on the southern section of the South Island I Main Trunk railway "ill be trapsI ferred from Parnassus to the Comvay, according to Mr E. P. IvLeaehcn, M.l’., who, as one of the members co-opted by the Minister for Public Works, the Hon R. Semple, has just completed a week’s tour of the railway construction camps. He found that sa/risfactory progress was being made, and said the schedule set by Mr Semple was well up-to-date. There is every reason to believe that the whole undertaking, which is one of the largest in the country, will be completed ahead of time. llte now i length of line between Parnassus and | the Conway, it is anticipated, will bo available initially for the transport of live-stock only, eliminating 15 of road droving. The actual permanent way is now being laid, while the steel already fabricated, is waiting in the | Parnassus yards to complete the bridges on the section. Mr Moaclien reported favourable progress in tunnelliiicr and other direr- | lions. He mentioned that the piers for' the hig Clarence bridge, which is the principal undertaking on the northern section, were expected to lie completed in August. As it may he 18 months before the necessary steel for the ( bridge is all fabricated at the Woburn railway workshops, it is possilile that a temporary bridge will he used by' the work trains, to facilitate track la,vin.f between the Clarence and Ivaikoura.