NORTH AUCKLAND LINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18088, 12 May 1922, Page 4

NORTH AUCKLAND LINE.

LINK WITH WHAN GAR El.

WORK WELL ADVANCED.

A report on the North Auckland Main Trunk railway -works baa been furnished by the commissioner of the Auckland Railways and Development League. The report states that progress all along the line is very marked.

On tho Whangarei section half of the Mongonui bridge has been constructed. Another six weeks should see its completion. The Kikowhite bridge, a small structure, will be started shortly. The formation work between these bridges is well advanced. The formation between the Mongonui bridge and the Mareretn tunnel is progressing favourably arid a light line of rails is laid within half-a-mile of the Mongonui bridge. Two steam navvies and three locomotives are working on this section. ' The Mareretu tunnel has been cleaned out and the laving of the permanent way through the tunnel ehoald bo completed in a. month, leaving about half-a-mile of permanent way to bo laid on the north side of the Mareretu tunnel. About sis weeks' time should see the south end of the tunnel connected with the permanent way to Whangarei. The men are working harmoniously and contentedly on this section. Tho overhead bridge at Waiotira is inmost completed and a steam navvy is filling the approaches. The work of completing the station yard at Waiotira junction is being pushed on vigorously. Tho filling at Mangapai isi proving a troublesome undertaking, but with this exception The work between and Waiotira, a distance of 15 miles, is simply final cleaning up. Tho report adds:—" It is expected that the permanent way will bo laid to the 99 miles peg before next Christmas, and it will bo possible to go to Whangarei by rail by breaking tho journey at the Wairero tunnel and resuming it at the north end. It is thus satisfactory to know that the connecting link between Auckland and the Bay of Islands will be nearly completed by the end of tho year. This consummation of the pushing on of the line to the Wairoa River and a connection with the Kaihu Valley line should revolutionise the methods of transit in the North Auckland district, after 60 years of shockingly bad roads, which in many places are i»orse than that over the Rangiriri hills."