SOUTH MAIN TRUNK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 12 March 1930, Page 6

SOUTH MAIN TRUNK

GOOD PROGRESS MADE

PREPARATIONS FOR WINTER

CAMPAIGN,

Though excellent progress .continues to he made with the prosecution of (lit South Main Trunk railway, there is evidence, in an inspection of the work, that the Public Works Department intends to go for the job in real earnest when the advent of winter again brings the unemployment problem to a head (stales the “Express”). In other words it is apparent that the Parnassus end of the line, in particular, is to ho made a great dumping ground for the South island's winter unemployed. Gangs are already engaged in preparing big camps at that end, and it is stated that arrangements are afoot for the erection of villages of hutments.

So far as actual work near Parnassus is concerned, comparatively little has yet been done, the only evidence of activity being the appearance for four miles or so from Parnassus, of the beginnings of new cuttings and fillings, each apparently being entrusted to a separate gang. The result is half a dozen or so little jobs with no connection in between.

Coming towards Blenheim, one meets the first evidences of railway construction a mile or so below Kekerangu, where a fair-sized camp has been established, and tho main job is in progress between Kekerangu and I lie old railhead at Wliaranui. It has been necessary in several places to construct a new road, so that the railway may take the place of the present road, but, in spite of this handicap, the formation work is already nearing completion all the way to Kekerangu and the rails should reach there in the course of two or three months, always provided that the Blue Slip continues to behave itself, as it has done so far.

Tho arrival of a steam navvy in this vicinity should facilitate the arduous work of burrowing into the slip and it is not anticipated that undue difficulty will he encountered in negotiating the obstacle.

The actual railhead is already four or five miles south of Wliaranui and the ideal of “Kekerangu by Easter” will not be far out, while, if tlm detailed plans fer the work south of Kekerangu are complete, there is no reason why rapid progress should not be made during the winter months over the comparatively easy construction in that area.

If the plans aVe ready, the railhead can be pushed on to the Clarence within a year, so that the time is opportune for an inquiry into the Department’s proposals for the difficult construction Which lies between that point and the Hapuka River. This will include the Clarence Bridge—a formidable task in itself—and the Hapuka Bridge, another big job, and there will also be, it is understood, at least one tunnel in that area. If the Government intends to keep to its undertaking to complete the line within three veins, it is time that something was heard about contracts for the big bridges and for the tunnels. From the Hapuka south for a considerable distance below Kaikoura easy going will be encountered, but from Kaikoura right through almost to Parnassus construction will be difficult and slow. Those keen to sec the railway speedily completed and brought to the paying stage are now anxious to learn the Department’s intentions in regard to the two difficult stretches—Clarence and Hapuka, and Kahautara to, say, Conway. They feel that unless immediate steps are taken the other easier stretches will be completed well ahead of the hard country and that the progress of the work will thus he held up unduly. It has been suggested, too, that the Department’s draughtsmen have been so overburdened with unexpected work m connection with the West Coast earthquake damage that the preparation of detailed plans for parts of the railway is delayed. An assurance on this point would he welcomed and could doubtless he secured by the South Island Progress Leagues, sitting in Nelson.