NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15192, 4 January 1913, Page 5

NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY

TE HANA TO OTAMATEA.

MINISTER INSPECTS THE WORK.

The Minister for Public Works (Hon. W. Fraser) paid a visit of inspection to the recently Completed railway construction work between Te Hana and Otamatea, on the - North Auckland Main Trunk line, yesterday. Leaving Auckland, at 8.20 a.m., ho travelled by the ordinary express to Helensville, from which point he was carried by special train to the railhead at Otamatea. The return trip was made by a special train, which arrived at Auckland at 7.15 p.m. Included in the party . were Mr. Bowles, District Traffic manager; Mr. F. Withers, Public Works Department engineer; Mr. A. Ross, assistant engineer of the Public Works Department, who lias been in charge of the work, and the Minister's private secretary, Mr. McAlister.

- The total length of the section likely to Bo opened shortly, that is from To Hana to Kaiwaka, is slightly over eight miles. Leaving Te Hana, the line crosses two tidal rivers, and then rims through the Mainene tunnel, the length of which is 18 chains, on to Topuni station, situated just four miles from Te Hana. Not far north of Topuni is another tunjnel 18 chains long, Ross' Hill tunnel, out of which; tho line runs through the Kawaka settlement and on to Kaiwaka* 6tation, a total distance of eight and a-half miles from Te Hana. An additional three miles of line has been laid from Kawaka to Otamatea, which lies at the junction of the Otamatea and Kaiwaka rivers, four miles south ofMaungatoroto. Across the Otamatea river a railway bridge is at present being built, and although the task is a big one, it is expected that it will be completed before the end of this year. Some four miles of formation has been completed on the Mamngaturoto side of the. river. One tunnel, too, has been driven, while a large gang of men are Busy with the construction of what _is known as the Maungatoroto tunnel, which will have a total length of 24 chains. In conjunction with the? railway line a wharf is being built just below the bridge. A good depth is available all the way from Kaipara Harbour, a distance of about 20 miles, and at the wharf itself there is 20ft of water at low tide. . It is confidently, predicted that the new section will be thrown open for use in a short time. Onco the engineers have certified that the work is satisfactory, no time will be lost in running the trains right through.