OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4169, 3 October 1900, Page 7

OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY.

In his annual statement to Parliament, the Minister for, Public Works makes the following reference to the Otago Central Railway-The section of this railway between Ranfurly and Wedderluirn was opened lor traflie on Ist .Time last. Formal ion work on the Wedderhurn-Ida .Valley, sect ion has been vigorously pushed forward during toe year—three,, relays of workmen oeing employed in, one important, 'cutting and two iii olhers—and. such good progress lias been made .that rail-laying can be begnn in tbe' course of a few weeks. The, rails' and many of the sleepers arc already provided, and fenders for the supply of the remainder have recently been invited locally, hut,, unfortunately, with unsatisfactory results. Arrangements will now have to he made to supply them from elsewhere. Formation has also been undertaken on the Poolhnrn section, and'the .works as, far as Black,stone .Hill Station arc; approaching completion, and will lie finished ready for rail-laying by the end of the year. In, the.. Pool burn Gorge, where the work is of a heavy character, every available • cutting is being worked, and , the masonry culverts (which could nob be commenced until the frosts wore over) have -been begun. Tlio tunnels have also been started, and the work upon them is being pushed along ns rapidly ns possible. A tender for the iron and steel girders for the Poolhnrn and Mimuherikia (first crossing) bridges has recently been accepted. The line is expected to be ready for traffic to Ida. Valley early next year, and to Blackstone Hill by. the end of June, and the further .sections to Alexandra will, .1 hope, Jib. completed within three years Owing largely to the groat development of the dredging industry, the traffic upon The completed portion of this railway has greatly increased, thus eriipbasisiiig the importance, ,of opening .the line as ;Jar..- as Alexandra -as early as possible.- The vote obtained to--this railway last.year was £OO,OOO. This year we ask fot £•1(10.000. ■