STRATFORD RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20736, 2 December 1930, Page 12

STRATFORD RAILWAY.

PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION.

FURTHER TWO YEARS' WORK.

PIERCING THE LAST TUNNEL.

[by telegrafh.—own correspondent.] TAUMARUNUI. Monday.

Work on the Stratford Main Trunk railway line has been going on steadily and it is probable that the line will bo completed within two years. The distance between the railheads at the eastern and western ends of tho lino is approximately 20 miles, but the actual track formation has been pushed on from the railheads, although broken and in varying degrees of completion in parts, until only a few chains of tunnel remain to be pierced to make the first real connection. The two ends are to meet in tho middle of a tunnel known as Mangatiti, which is 33 miles 40 chains from Okahukura, and consequently a little over 55 miles from Stratford. This Mangatiti tunnel is 55 chains in length and the bottom heading, with the exception of 10 chains, is completed, and lining work is in progress at the south end. Lining work at tho north end will be started in about three weeks. Ten chains of solid material remain to bo removed before the Tangarakau section of the workers will be able to speak to tho men at the Ohura end.

At tho end of October tho following tunnels were completed:—Mangaparu (21 chains), 23 miles 39 chains from Okahukura, Kane's (3 chains), 24 miles 29 chains from Okahukura; Tokirima (34 chains), at tho 25-mile peg. The bottom heading of Kokopu tunnel, 28 miles 60 chains from Okahukura, was completed and the lining half complete. Tunnellers aro engaged at both ends and it is • estimated the tunnel will be completed in March, 1931. At the No. 1 Heao tunnel (7i chains), 31 miles 50 chains from Okahukura, tho bottom heading should bo completed during this week. At the present rate of progress it is anticipated that this tunnel will bo completed in April next year. At No. 2 Heao tunnel, only 30 chains further on in tho direction of Stratford and of similar length to No. 1, the bottom heading is complete and tho lining work half done. This tunnel should bo finished early in February. Tho connecting link, tho Mangatiti • tunnel, should bo completed about Dccembei', 1931.