BRANCH RAILWAYS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14222, 13 June 1910, Page 5

BRANCH RAILWAYS.

VISIT OF INSPECTION. On Friday Inst Mr Vicarman, Government consulting engineer, went over the proposed routes of tho To-muka-Kakahu-'i'otara Valley branch, railways with tho object of reporting on their feasibility and prospects of the schemes. Arriving; by the first express from Christchurch the engineer was met by Messrs Buxton M.P. and Scott-Thomson and proceeded in on© of Nalder's motor cars to Kakahu. Oil arrival a brief inspection of the mineral resources <■'' the locality was made and afterwards the party had lunch at Mr Scott-Thomson's residence. This over tho party proceeded under tho direction of Mr W. B. North, of Beautiful Valley, to Raineliff, the proposed terminius of the Totara Valley lino and then on via the swamp road to Pleasant Point taking stock of the surrounding country en route. At Pleasant Point, heavy rain threatening a quick run back to Temuka was mnd-e and after a. pleasant quarter of ail hour and afternoon tea at Mr Buxton's residence, Mr Vicarman loft by

i:lie kr-t express on his return to Christehureh.

A icport is expected in duo cowrse and if favourable in either case is to b© followed by some sort of proposal to those concerned from tho Government. Tho eueineer did not think much, of tho possibilities from a railway point of view of the route from the main line to Kakahu and had an awkward habit o ftaking cut. a rule and measuring on a. map tho nearness to the present railway* of the various points massed on the way. Tie seemed to think it was onlv to be recommended as a means of reaching: the Kakalra mineral deposits if deemed good enough. file Totara. Valley route impressed him very much more favourably as far as the romitry to be tanned en roufe and beyond was concerned, and if iho Kakahu minerals could be dcvcloned as ea.silv from the Haim-lilf side, as tb<- Kakahu bush side, by means of a bridge over the Opulia river there could he no comparison between the two. The party a verv pleasant and enjoyable trip. '!>- niuka" being readied just he fore _ the heavv rain came on. However, it is hoped another sten forward towards the tannine of the extensive back country" and the minerals has neon made and meanwhile the patient naokblockcrs will live in hones.