RAILWAY MAKING STEADY PROGRESS

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 78, 1 April 1931, Page 13

RAILWAY MAKING STEADY PROGRESS

CONSTRUCTION WORK ON PARNASSUS SECTION. Railway construction at Parnassus is steadily progressing. A start : has been made with the laying of the permanent rails from the main yard to the Leader bridge site. This will enable material for the bridge to be carried right up t 6 the scene of operations. Private tenders are being called for the construction of the Hawkswood tunnel. A number of representatives of various contractors have been present studying local conditions and preparing estimates. More mechanical apparatus is arriving on the works, comprising three locomotives, a steam navvy and two air compressors. Much temporary line for construction purposes is being rapidly laid along the Conway section. A start has also been made with the building of groynes along the bluffs near the Conway bridge, while further down, near the second Conway bridge, a fairly big water drive is being made through solid rock. Formation work from Parnassus to the Conway bridge is practically complete, with the exception of the Leader bridge and. Hawkswood tunnel. A start has been made on the overhead road bridge, the excavatiop being completed. There are now about fifteen camps scattered along the Conway, Hawkswood and Oaro sections, employing in the vicinity of 320 men. Mr IT. inspecting engineer from Head Office, inspected the work at the early part of last week and left, to visit the construction work at Wharanui. Mr E. A. Gibson, engineer in charge of the Parnassus end, returned from his annual" holidays on Monday last.