THE MAIN TRUNK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14283, 4 August 1908, Page 5

THE MAIN TRUNK.

I — ». MEETING OF THE RAILS. * . ' A RED-LETTER DAT.' ' (Fjom Our Owe Correspondent.) ,'. i WELLINGTON, August '3. To-day will be marked as a red-letter day in the history of the construction; of the North Island Main Trunk railway as the day of the meeting of the rails on the northern and southern sections of the. lino., .Word was receiod to-day that the Man-' genui-a-te-ao viaduct (the last, bridge to be finished) had beenjSuffioiontly completed to admit of railway traffio passing - over ■it ■■ ...".-.-., ../.■,.' Following this announcement, a, telegram was received this afternoon by the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. W Hall-Jpnes) conveying the intelligence, which has'been looked for daily for tho past week, that tjie last rail of the great work of linking lip the cities of Wellington and Auckland by. means of the iron road had been laid at Mangonui-a-te-ao this morning . For weeks tho northern and southern railheads have been steadily advancing towards each other, and tho aim of the department to ' get the connection completed in : 'time for a special train to pass right through, from . Wellington to Auckland before". .'lfleet' ' week" will bo carried into effect k four days' time, Ballast trains are now running across the viaduct, and for the next four days, given fine weather, they will be' busily engaged in partially ballasting.the.lino in readiness for the parliamentary " special," ' on which will be conferred the distinction of making the firat complete run.over tie whole length of the line. , The time-table for the train which will convey the parliamentary vieitara ito the "fleet" festivities in the northern city has not yet been definitely decided upon.. It is probable, however, that a start will be mode from Wellington at a quarter to ,11 ■ on Friday evening. At daylight on iSaturday morning tho party will be approaching tho most interesting portion ofthe journey, ■the central part of the trip inoluding'tha interesting bush scenory between .Ohakuno and Makatote. The run over the Wairaarino Plains and tho. Raurimu spiral will be ' accomplished iu, daylight, and the trip should prove a very interesting one.'lt is expected that, with'good luckj.Auokland mil bo' reached' about a quarter past 6on Saturday evening., . ■' ; Several members have announced their' intention of not taking part in the trip, but it is expected that about 60 members ' of both Houses will avail themselves of the Government's invitation. A number of ' southern members and some of'the North ' Island will take advantage of tho adjournment of the House to spend a few days amongst their constituents. "The fleet visit," said one member'-td-' -night, in discussing tlie position, "has come at an'awkward time. The elections are. coming on, and the opportunity of'spend-' . ing a dear week in their respective districts h one that many monvbers cannot, afford ' to lose." . The Minister of Public Works and Railways (Mr Hall-Jones) Will not take !• in tho first trip over the Main Trunk. \ The Hon. Mr M'Nab will visit the south during fleet. week, but the remainder of ' the members of tho-Ministry, with, the exception of Mr Carroll, will, it is umdefcstood, proceed to Auckland. ■■' , •== ■ .--■•/