SOUTH HAM TRUNK LINE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 29 November 1927, Page 7

SOUTH HAM TRUNK LINE

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE ROUTES

RESULTS OE GOVERNMENT

SURVEYS

COASTAL LINE SHORTER AND

CHEAPER

GOST ESTIMATED AT £2,207,030

The Minister for Public Works (the. Hon. K. S. Williams) lias forwarded (o Mr VV. J. Girling (Wnirau) and Mr G. \V. Foibes*(Huruiiui) full details of the alternative routes for the South Island Alain Trunk line, demonstrating that the coastal line would lie both shorter and cheaper. The hitter (which is published in the “Express”) stales: —“I have to advise you ihat before starling detailed surveys the country between Parnassus and I lie Uapuku was carefully examined in order to* determine what alternative routes, if any, were available. On the original surveys of the inland- route there were several long stretches of steep grades of 1 in 40, with sharp curvatures which could not he adopted for modern conditions, and in addition there were several miles over which only a reconnaissance survey had been run, and this route was therefore examined first, and several alternative lines surveyed. In every case, however, it was found that in order to get suitable gradients and curvatures the line had to* he taken through very much rougher and more precipitous country than the earlier surveys revealed, thus involving very heavy construction and enormous viaducts. Final investigation on the inland route narrowed i.tself down to two routes, as shown on the attached plan in blue and brown respectively. The brown line traverses the Leader, Limestone and Gilt Valleys. It then rises to the Flax Hills and Greenhills and thence falls to the south of Kaikoura and follows the slopes of Alt. Fvffc to the Hapuku. The blue line runs from Parnassus via, the Conway to the Flax Mills, where it junctions with the brown line, the part between the Flax Hills and the Hapuku being common to both of these two lines.

“The blue line promises the best results. It is 46 miles 11 chains long from Parnassus to the Hapuku and the estimated cost is £2,600,080. This line passes some considerable distance from Kaikoura, and if rail connection with the latter is desired it would he necessary to run a small branch line for a distance of approximately live miles to Kaikoura.

THE COAST ROUTE DESCRIBED

“After exhausting all possibilities on the inland route the coastal route was tackled, and, after co-ordinating the old surveys and adopting various deviations, a very fair line was obtained, with good grade and alignment, as shown in red on the attached plan. This line runs from Parnassus to* Hawkeswood Saddle, thence to the mouth of the Conway River, thence along the coast via Oaro and the Kahautara to Kaikoura, and from there to the Hapuku, where it junctions with the inland routes. It is six miles 58 chains shorter than the blue inland route, and six miles four chains shorter than the brown. A diagram showing the grades and distances is attached, and this shows clearly the great advantages of the gradient possessed by the red line. In addition to the advantages enumerated, the fact that the estimated cost of the red line is £1,170,750 cheaper than the cheapest of the two inland routes definitely removes all argument as to which route should be adopted. The coastal route will serve the country surrounding Knikoiira best, and, although it will not open up quite so much country as the inland, il must he. remembered that the additional traffic which would he obtained on the latter line will not he very groat, as the majority of the additional country served is sparsely settled and suitable for grazing only, whereas the land immediately adjoining Kaikoura is closely settled and intensively farmed. .From the Hapuku River to ‘Whnrnnui various improvements have been made to the original line, but that route, generally speaking, is the best available, and is, of course, common to the alternative line from Parnassus, which joins at the Hapuku River. The total length of line from Parnassus to Wharanui via the coast is 75 miles 75 chains long and the estimated cost is £2,207,030. The distance between . the same two points on the best inland route is 82 miles 53 chains, and the estimated cost is £3,477,780. The estimated cost of the various routes may seem high, but it must be remembered that with the exception of a few miles here and there the country to be traversed throughout is very rugged and railway construction under these conditions must necessarily be expensive.”