RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23351, 17 November 1937, Page 8

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

EXCELLENT PROGRESS REPORTED SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK A survey of the progress of the programme of railway construction was given by the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple) in his annual statement which was tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday. When last year's statement was presented to the House, says the Minister, a commencement had been made with the Government's programme of railway construction, but preliminary work only had been done on the NapierGisborne line, the South Island Main Trunk, and the Westport-Inangahua connection in preparation of a vigorous programme. During the year excellent progress has been made on all these works. On the Napier-Gisborne line a total of 1300 men was employed. The damage done to the previouslycompleted section of the line between Napier and Putorino by the Napier earthquake was restored. The Mohaka viaduct was completed, thus enabling a rail connection to be made to Wairoa. The Railways Department now operates a service from Napier to Putorino, while the Public Works Department controls a train service from Putorino to Wairoa. Although the sections are separately controlled, goods are railed at through rates. This service is already providing a muchneeded facility. North of Waikokopu, which is already linked with Wairoa by an existing line, work is proceeding expeditiously at all points on to Gisborne. An excellent showing has been made on this work since construction was resumed last year, and operations have advanced to an interesting stage. The length to be constructed is 34 miles. The average number of men employed on the South Island Mam Trunk railway during the period was 900. instructions were issued to resume worK at the beginning of July, 1936 and within three months employment had been given to 700 men (which was considerably in excess of the total number employed when work was closed down in 1931). accommodation had been provided and plant and material were starting to arrive, an engineering staff had been built up, and the general organisation was well in hand. The housing of the men and their families presented a problem on account of the shortage of building materials. By the end of 1938 the main difficulties in regard to accommodation had been overcome. There are now approximately 1000 men employed, and these are distributed throughout 23 camps. Of these men, approximately 400 have been provided with married' accommodation, and the remainder are in single quarters. The various camps have been very completely equipped. The maximum number of men employed on the Westport-Inangahua railway during the period was 400 Construction work is now in full swing. It was necessary first to concentrate on the provision of accommodation for the workmen, and, joineident with this, machinery and materials for the construction work were assembled.