THE OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 22

THE OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY.

[t is extremely gratifying to learn that every effort is being made by the Public Works department to push the Otago Central railway forward with all possible despatch. From Wingabui, where the line branches off from the main south line, to Ranfurly, the present terminus, the distance is about 77J miles. The next .section to Wedderburn carries the line some 8J miles forward. The works upon this, section are now in an advanced state of completion, the rails and ballast being laid for a distance of six miles. The remaining portion is being advanced towards completion as speedily as possible, and in all probability the section will be opened for traffic about the end of. April or the beginning of May. Beyond Wedderburn, the formation, culverts, etc., are well under way, the works being fully manned np to a point lOlf miles from Wingatui. At a distance of 99J miles from the latter place the Blackstone Hill railway station will be located, in the Ida Valley. The formation towards that point is so far advanced that the ballastiug and platelaying will be commenced early next spring; for it must not be forgotten that the work cannot be satisfactorily prosecuted throughout the winter with its severe frosts. As a matter of fact the station buildings will be commenced in a few weeks' time ; as most of the building material is now on the ground. The section from Wedderburn though the Poolburn Gorge is the only portion of the line between Ranfurly and Alexandra that presents any engineering difficulties. The gorge itself is some 2^ miles in extent; but in order to negotiate it some very heavy work will have to be undertaken, including a couple of tunnels of a combined length of a quarter of a mile, and an expensive viaduct over the Poolburn creek. The engineering obstacles to be overcome in the Poolburn Gorge must necessitate delay, yet no time will be lost in tackling the heavy work. In fact, the Government, we understand, intend prosecuting the work required- with the "utmost vigour, and in a very short, time the tunnels will be put in hand. The viaduct will" also be attended to, and as soon as the "plans can be got out tenders will be called for the work, together with a large, bridge over the Manuherikia River. When this structure is completed, together with the formation, the Manuherikia Valley will be entered, and another important district tapped by railway. The formation from this point to Blacks station, opposite the town of Blacks, a distance of about six miles, will be very easy, " the heavy country having all been left behind. It is quite apparent that an earnest attempt is at last being made by the Public Works department to push the line ahead with the utmost vigour. Works like those required 'in the Poolburn Gorge must take some time to complete, and in the meantime the public must accept the gorge as a kind of halting place for the Otago Central railway. The Government, however, now appear to be alive to the importance of the work, and every nerve should be strained to pierce the Poolburn Gorge,- after which the prosecution of the work to Alexandra presents no engineering obstacles, although there will be two or three bridges required over the Manuherikia River. As an'earnest^ of the intentions of the Government in connection with the Otago Central line, the Minister of Public Works is now in the district in order to acquaint himself with the character of the work required at the -Poolburn Gorge, as well as at the crossing of the Manuherikia River. If the whole of the £60,000 voted last session for the Otago Central line is not expended within the financial year, the greater part of it will, there is reason to hope, be absorbed by the works now in hand or to be placed in hand forthwith. The importance of this railway now that there lias been such an enormous development of the gold dredging industry demands that it Btiould be pushed through to Alexandra without any unavoidable delay. Apparently that is what the Government now intend to do.