REPORT ON THE PTCTON AND BLENHEIM RAILWAY.

Marlborough Express, Volume VII, Issue 422, 17 August 1872, Page 6

REPORT ON THE PTCTON AND BLENHEIM RAILWAY.

The following report by Mr Carruthers, tne Engineer-in-Chicf, is contained in a recent Parliamentary paper :

The Hue begins near the wharf a Pictou, and ends at the north bank of the Opawa, the length being 17 A- miles. It ifeas intended that the line should be carried across the Opawa into Blenheim, but the expense of doing so would be very great, and would bring no corresponding advantage to the railway. The Opawa has of late become the principal channel of the Wairau Elver, and this so lately that it lias not yet had time to get into train. Its bed is now only forming itself, and it is difficult to predict what effect the piers of a bridge would have. The present road bridge has greatly affected the bed, and has made the river shift considerably. It appears to me, also, very likely that the riveV will soon leave its present bed altogether, and join the Omaka. Should it be decided to carry the line across the river, it would be necessary, in oi'der to interfere as little as possible with the river, to use very long spans (say ICO feet each); and such a bridge could not bo built of the required length of 640 feet for less than .£6,400. It docs not appear to me that there will be any loss of traffic to the railway by thus stopping short of the Town of Blenheim, as there is a good road and a bridge across the river, which will, when lengthened, as proposed by the Provincial Government, givo ready access to the railway. The country through which the line ruus is unfavorable to railway construction, and with every regard to cheapness, it has been impossible to reduce the earthwork below 16,200 cubic yards a wile, of which a groat proportion of the cuttings

is rock. To avoid tlie floods, it lias been necessary to keep tlie rails at a height of about 10 feet above the plains of the Tua Marina, which, has of course much increased the quantity of earthwork.

There are 3,600 lineal feet of wooden bridges, the most important being the bridge over the. Waitohi—a trestle GOO feet long and 45 feet high ; and that over the Wairau, which is 1,200 feet long aud 25 feet high. Heart of black birch will be exclusively used. The culverts will bo of timber throughout. It is proposed to fence only the first two miles near Picton, and to make good all existing fences with cattle guards, where they cross the line. Roads will be all crossed on the level. Warning posts will be placed at each crossing, as is done in America and Germany, but no gates will be built nor watchmen engaged. The rails will weigh 30 lbs to the yard. Sleepers will be of heart of black birch, 2,050 to the mile, and just sufficient ballast will bo used to keep the sleepers from sinking into the banks.

The curves and gradients are very severe, as will be seen by the' table affixed. It is quite evident, from the lightness of the permanent way and the steepness of the gradients, that only a very moderate speed is provided for ; ten or twelve miles an hour will be as fast as ought to be attempted. Two locomotives, three passenger carriages, and seventeen goods waggons are estimated to be sufficient for the opening of the line. The passenger carriages have a central passage, and seats arranged omnibus fashion. The stations will be of the simplest kind. Buildings will be erected only at the termini. The estimated cost is as follows : Work in New Zealand ... ... -£70,018 Rolling stock (including erecting)... 7,931 Permanent way materials ... ... 10,109 Stations ... ... ... 1,852

' £90,C00 The permanent way material and rolling stock have been ordered in England. I affix an estimate of probable traffic and working expenses, by which it appears that the lino may be expected to pay working expenses, and a renewal fund of £2,330 a year for replacing bridges, &c., and still have a sum of £3,238 a year left as profit ;ithis is equal to Sgper cent, on the cost. I have been, of course, much guided by persons living on the spot in the revenue return, both as to quantities and prices, but I consider the estimate fair. There is some difference of opinion as to whether the railway will divert the trade from Port Underwood to Picton. I think myself it will do so, but have kept this item separate in the revenue return. Even without it, there will be a profit of £1,178 on the other traffic, after paying working expenses and renewal fund.

I have kept the estimate of working expenses high enough to insure its not being exceeded. — I have, &c., John Carrutuers, Engineer-iu-Chief. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works.