LAST SPIKE WELL AND TRULY DRIVEN

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 88, 7 November 1932, Page 5

LAST SPIKE WELL AND TRULY DRIVEN

AFTER 30 YEARS' ENDEAVOUR

COMPLETION OF STRATFORD-MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY k HON G. W. FORBES PERFORMS THE CEREMONY _J?3 OIX QM- pOM <■'•'■'•■ | East Meets West on Occasion of Great Moment .m.B T 0.3 iWoviomo ; .... '■• "1 i, .■|i ]t" ________________ CROWDED TRAINS CARRY FIRST PASSENGERS INTO THE BACK COUNTRY Big Gathering at Haeo Witnesses Consummation of Great Railway Construction \ (Special to the Post) > TANGARAKAU, To-day. HOPES deferred for over thirty years were realised to-day, when in the presence of a large gathering from Te,-anaki and the Ohura and Taumarunui areas, the last spike of the Stratford-Main Trunk was driven by the P,"ime Minister, Right Hon. G. W. Forbes. Two trains came out from Stratford, these carrying a large number of passengers. All i along the route the first train picked up settlers from wayside stations who were anxious to witness L the ceremony which was to spell fulfilment of their , hopes.

Journey Through New Country To many of those who went out the magnificent country through which, the line passes was entirely new and as a result of their trip they were able to appreciate the difficult. ies which confronted the engineers to whom were entrusted the task of building the railway. There were many expressions of appreciation of the work done, as the trains sped through the high cuttings, over deep ravines, along the sides of precipitous cliffs and through the tunnels cut through the huge bush covered hills. Then there were tha wide valleys of fertile farm lands to provide an effective contrast to the lugged grandeur which comprised the other side of the picture. The ceremony at Heao was a memorable one especially for the older people, large numbers of whom were present, for many of tbem have watched the progress of the line and the two railheads slowly creep with the years towards each Other, Many of them going oui in the trains fell |nto reminiscent mood and talked of the modest beginning of the line 31 years ago when Hon Win. Hall -Jones turned the first sod in StratfOrd and: there were many expressions of regret that he was unable to be present today.

Gala Da/ at Tangarakau The work of preparing for the cele, had been well done and it was a gala day at Tangarakau which settlement many of the visitors saw tor the first time. This small hat is surrounded by high hills and the view from there gave a good idea of the •relentless country which had to be -.traversed, The train ran on over the tbridge which spans the Tangarakau Biver and literally plunged into the tills. Then came the first tunnel 01 the many between Tangarakau and Heao. This" is 31 chains in length and opens out in the Mangatoko Valley and almost at once No. 2 tunnel was' entered. This is 51 chains in length and is .flanked by high papa cuttings which block out most of the view of the Mangaon e Valley. Again with remarkable suddenness the train plunged into No. 3 tunnel through the Mangiti Valley over a trestle bridge 120 feet in length, through further giant cuttings and over fillings and into the No. 4 tun. nel where the workers from east and west met, and. the piercing of which was celebrated recently and the hospitality of the Mayor of Stratford enjoyed. This tunnel seemed like any other tunnel, but the difficulties encountered in its construction were probably greater than those met jnrith in any of the others, -■ Through the Hills This tunnel is 52 chains in length, attd is driven through two hills which are separated by a stream flowing down between them. The tunnel had Hot been driven very far before the stream was struck. There were two courses open to the engineers. Either they could make two tunnels with only a short distance between the end of one and the entrance fit the next and bridge the stream, or lift the 'bed of the stream up. The former course 'meant the danger of flooding and the latter was decided on. The stream was actually lifted •up, piped over the top while the tunnel was concreted underneath, and then given a concrete race down which to flow clear of the tunnel. So between the two hills the tunnel backIs showing, and over it runs the stream that caused the trouble. In many places there could be seen traces of temporary tramway lines which led off the main line during the i construction work. ,but second .growth had; almost obliterated them, this providing a telling example of ;howrt/Jq#eMy'!>the ; fe*n and i < undertu - BflW Jjli 1 *' BBBTW '." ' '