RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19412, 21 August 1926, Page 15

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

FOUR SECTSONS HANDED OVER WAIHI TO TANEATUA. COMPLETION IN TWO YEARS. [by telegraph.—special reporter.] WELLINGTON, Friday.

Progress on the construction of new railways is reviewed in the Statement, and some indication is given as to when various works will be completed. During the year a total length of 53 miles 20 chains of railway was handed over to the Railway Department. Details are as follows:—. North Auckland Main Trunk railway (Whangarei branch), 14 miles 56. chains; North Auckland Main Trunk railway (Huarau-Waiotira section), 15 miles 36 chains; Lawrence - Roxburgh railway (Beaumont-Miller's Flat section), 14 miles 70 chains; Orepuki-Waiau railway (Tua-.tapere-Orawia section), 8 miles 18 chains. In addition, rails have been laid on 22 miles 39 chains, and goods traffic has been carried on over a length of 52 miles, while traffic of all descriptions has been run by the Public Works Department over 111 miles 61 chains, the two principal sections being between Tauranga, The Mount and Taneatua, and between Wairoa and Waikokopu. A schedule attached to the Statement shows the extent to which works in hand are expected to be completed within the next two years, assuming that sufficient financial provision is available. The Waio-tira-Kirikopuni section of the North Auckland Main Trunk is 14 miles long; 12 miles are to be handed over to the Railway Department within a year, and the balance in the following year. Of the 38 miles 25 chains comprising the Waihi-Tauranga section of the East Coast Main Trunk, 14 miles are to be ready for transfer in a year and the remainder in the following year. The Tauranga-Taneatua section of 63 miles 12 chains will also be ready for transfer in the second year. The Waikokopu branch, 24 miles 58 chains, and four miles of the Westport-Inangahua line will be ready for handing over within a year. The Auckland Lines. Good progress has been made with formation work and with erection of the several bridges on the Kirikopuni section, including the large Wairoa River bridge, which should be completed in about 15 months, when it is hoped that the line will also be finished as far as the present "terminus at Kirikopuni. Construction work was commenced early in the year on the Okoro section, and earthworks are complete for over two miles beyond Okaihau railway station. The construction of the first 14 miles £ind of the last 6 miles of the WaihiTauranga portion of the East Coast Main Trunk is being undertaken by the department on the co-operative system and the intervening length of 20 miles 76 chains is included in the contract with Sir W. W. G. Armstrong, Whit worth and Co. Athenre'e section is almost complete in every detail and work is so well advanced on the next section (Katikati) that settlers have had a goods and passenger service from Waihi to Tuapiro Stream for some time and it is hoped to extend the service to Tahawai Station (13 miles) shortly. Both goods and traffic are also carried from Tauranga to 40 miles 5 chains and goods service was extended to Wairoa River in January. The contractors are making reasonably good progress with their length, but it is doubtful whether they will finish- by the due date. AH classes of traffic are also being run by the department from Tauranga and the Mohnt eastwards to the present terminus at Taneatua, a distance of approximately 59 miles. The construction of the greater portion of this length of line, including station buildings and yards, is practically complete and at the present rate of progress the remainder of the work should be finished at an early date as far as Taneatua. From Gisborne Southwards.

The matter of a railway connection from Gisborne to Waikokopu has received careful consideration and several surveys have been made. Plans and estimates are now being prepared and as soon as definite figures are available a decision as to the route to be adopted-will be made. The indications are that a route following the coast-line fairly closely will be adopted. As mentioned last year, construction work on the Tutira section of the NapierGisborne line is of a heavy nature, but a concentrated effort, with the aid of a large quantity of machinery, has resulted in good progress being made and it is hoped to be able to convey materials over the line within a few months for the largo viaduct over the Waikoau. It is proposed to concentrate on the final section to Wairoa, in order that materials for the heavy works at Mohaka and Wairoa sections may be conveyed by rail from Waikokopu. The construction of the Waikokopu branch is completed with the exception of two bridges, which are well under way and a few other items. The construction of the Matiere section, at the east end of the Stratford-Main Trunk Railway, has been completed and also main-track formation on most of Ohura section. At the western end activities during the year were confined almost entirely to tramline construction, erection of accommodation for workers and preliminary work in connection with the tunnels on Raekoku and Haeo sections. The power-house has been erected and some of the machinery which was transferred from Mangahao and Otira for tunnel work is installed and running. A commencement has already been made with work in No. 1 tunnel.

DEVELOPING WASTE LANDS. THE PRISON FARM CAMPS. " GREAT POTENTIALITIES." [by TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday. A passage in the Statement reviewing the employment of ' prison labour in various activities states:—At Hautu, near Tokaanu, and Rangipo farm camps progress has been maintained. Results have proved fairly conclusively that this country has great potentialities, and it is hoped to enlarge the area under development. The essence of success in dealing with this class of country is a plentiful supply of labour, hence it is ideal for a prison undertaking, as it provides a healthful outlet for prison labour, and by bringing waste land into productivity is increasing the sum total of the assets of the Dominion.