SEATOUN TRAM-TRACK.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6382, 3 December 1907, Page 6

SEATOUN TRAM-TRACK.

Groat strides have been recently made in the work of, linking the marine suburb of Seatoun to the city car-sys-tem by a line through the lately finished tunnel. From tho junction of the linos where the car turns cu route to Mnamar to the terminus at Seatoun, about 150 yards from tho sea, the line is now laid and ballasted. The work of tarring the track and rolling it with the four-ton four-horse roller is being undertaken, and a great deal, although not all, of this tarring, sanding, and rolling is complete. It is probable that cars will bo able to run to the Seatoun tei minus as soon after Thursday next as the Public Worts Department, havinj examined tile work, will permit. The road alongside the lino from the Chinaman’s garden to tho Miramar end of the tunnel is being rapidly metalled with a particularly good class of metal, the tram-track itself being tho crown of the road. Over forty men, divided into three separate gangs, are busily engaged on both sides and in the tunnel, and twelve two-horso teams, are carting soil from the various excavations and metal. In the tunnel metalling is proceeding. Tho width of the tunnel permits of a good cart road, footpaths, and the one tramway track.

i _ As has previously been pointed out, it is tiro widest tunnel in Australasia. At tiro Miramar entrance tiro ground is considered not particularly solid, and a large concrete wall is being to hold the bank. The building' of this wall will not delay the running of the trams. Tor ,a long distance before the tunnel is entered a very deep cutting has been made, and the barter, not beilig suilicient to make the hank absolutely safe, four feet are now being taken off it. The cutting at this point is upwards of UOft deep. All the overhead gear is com- ‘ plete and the appurtenances, including the terminus clock, are in place. The tram road down to the terminus is heavily metalled, and it is likely that the tarring, sanding, and rolling of this portion will begin to-day. I There is an excellent road leading 'out of tho tunnel, besides the one occupied by the permanent way, and metalling is going on at Seatouu, irrespective of the tramway route. Building is busily proceeding' on ‘both sides of the tunnel.