PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4245, 28 October 1874, Page 3

PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.

RAILWAY WORKS IN THE NORTH. The following view of the progress of the railway works in the north of the province is given by the Wanganui Evening Herald : — THE FIRST SECTION. It is now nearly twelve months since the first sod of the Wanganui-Manawatu Railway was turned, and one less since we presented our readers with an account of the country taken by the first twenty-six miles of the line. On that occasion we promised to report Ihe progress made by the contractors, and, in accordance with instructions, our country reporter has sent us the following : THE RAILWAY WHARF. The spot on which the new Railway Wharf is being erected is about two miles above the Wanganui Bridge, on the left bank of the river, and stands 21- chains below the site of the proposed Railway Bridge, which will shortly be commenced, a portion of the material having already arrived. Owing to the heavy floods in the river and the late bad weather, progress has been delayed considerably, and also on account of the necessary piles not being at hand. However, a number of hands wore hard at work yesterday with the monkey, driving the piles, and the work is now progressing rapidly under the supervision of the contractors, Messrs, Richardson and Coleman. The construction has already the appearance of being suitably adapted for its intended use, viz., landing the bridge and railway material. MR. MAOMINNAMAN’S CONTRACT. The line commences in a paddock nearly opposite Captain How’s residence, about a chain and a half from the river, and runs through low-lying paddocks covered with flax, manuka scrub, and toitoi, until it emerges on No. 3 Line, at a distance of 100 chains from the starting point. The embankments and formations throughout tho distance we have already traversed are of a light and tho work so far has been completed in a highly creditable manner. On either side the line has been fenced with ditch and bank or ■wire fencing, and drains have been opened on both sides, while tho water is carried off by pipes or

culverts, placed at intervals under tire line* At tlie end of the work nearest the No. 3 Line a small paddock has been destroyed by the line passing through it, and at this juncture there is a large quantity of sleepers, iron rails, and other material ready for use. After crossing the road, we come to Mr. McGregor’s property, Cherry Lank, and near his orchard is a cutting 70 yards long and about 12ft. deep, which remains partly finished. “ We follow it to its termination, and are once more on a level in a beautiful grass paddock, when a deviation in the line occurs. Now we arrive within a stone’s throw of Mr. McGregor’s wool shed, where another portion of the line remains unfinished. Next wo pass over an adjoining dam on a substantial, well-built bridge, and we are once more on the clear. We then go on for a mile without anything worth notice beyond the scenery, which is very interesting, and enter the bush. Forty or fifty chains further and we come out on the clear ; another succession of light cuttings, and we are again among the pine trees. After passing through the bush we enter a swamp, and shortly after come out in the Matarawa paddocks. Another view of the various homesteads around and we again enter the bush, and proceed up the valley, the line being completed, with the exception of a few culverts, until we come to ME. OAKES 1 CONTRACT. This section of the work commences about 200 yards below Mr. Alexander McGregor’s saw-mill. Passing through a bush thickly studded with pines, we come out on the open. The first excavation is now being completed, and a large masonry culvert has been inserted at the bottom of a small gully near Mr. Brassey’s property. The line commences to ascend near Major Noake’s property, and passes round a succession of slight curves, over numerous deep ravines, through side and through cuttings, until we come to the heaviest portion of the contract. Here a gang of navvies were employed in removing earth, mostly shingle and sandstone, the work being facilitated by using a temporary tramway and tracks. We are now a considerable height above the level of the valley, and a splendid view presents itself, which, together with the busy appearance of the place, contrasting it with a few years back, when nothing disturbed the stillness but the bleating of sheep and the bellowing of cattle, is a very pleasing scene. We have reached the beautiful home-like paddock of Fordell, and after passing through a garden and under a barn, we are once more on the high table land. A short distance from the homestead is a space, or widening in the line left for a statian. A few chains further, and we cross the No. 2 Line to the ten mile peg, which terminates the first section of the railway line. A little further on, and a large masonry culvert with twenty-four massive abutments stands at the bottom of a deep, swampy ravine. This is really a grand piece of architecture, and would be no disgrace to a man of greater pretensions. About 20,000 yards of earth will be required in the filling in from one side, and about half that quantity from the other. THE CONTRACTS. Of the contracts we can say that, so far, they are being honestly and substantially carried out, and the workmen appear to be a class who understand their duties to the letter. Some time since we pointed out in articles on the future prospects of the colony, for immigration, that railways offered employment. Whatever inducement may have been offered here, the rule did not apply, as few immigrant navvies who undertook the work proved fitted for it, and only a small number are now at work. Mr. Oakes has however just returned from Wellington after having chosen about thirty of the late arrivals by the Cartvale, who, we hope, will be able to give satisfaction. There are now some seventy navvies on Mr. Oakes’ contract, and the whole work promises to be completed in the stipulated time under favorable circumstances. I have referred to the first two contracts in the first section. The other contracts will be more particularly noticed in another report.