1000 Tons Of Rails For S.I. Main Trunk

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1941, Page 3

1000 Tons Of Rails For S.I. Main Trunk

TPer Press Association. —Copyright] BLENHEIM, This Day,

Approximately 1000 tons of rails required for the completion of the South Island Main Trunk are being landed at Picton. Those that can be handled at

once are already being taken to various points along the line, mainly to

the Clarence Bridge.

It is estimated that 2290 tons of rails are needed to complete the whole line, and there is every reason to expect that these will shortly be available, but, even without the full quantity, the 1000 tons now available is sufficient to take the line within striking distance of Kaikoura from the North. To Kaikoura This Year. With rails already in hand there are sufficient to bring the line as far north as Khautara. Accordingly there are now directly on hand sufficient rails to complete the line with the exception of a gap of approximately 14 miles.

Formation work on the northern section enables platelaying to proceed, but it will first be necessary to repair damage to the Clarence and Hapuku Bridges suffered in a' heavy flood a few weeks ago. If ali goes well forecasts that the line will be completed to Kaikoura by the end of the year should be fulfilled.