REPORT ON THE S.I. MAIN TRUNK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 144, 19 June 1931, Page 7

REPORT ON THE S.I. MAIN TRUNK.

RAILWAYS BOARD ASKS FOR ALL THE EVIDENCE

An important announcement affecting the railway now under construction between Wharanui and Parnassus (South Island Main Trunk line) is advertised in this issue by the Railways Board.

The Board intends to make a report on that railway, and will be willing to receive statements regarding the line that any person or organisation may wish to make; such statements to be put in writing and sent to the General Manager, Mr H. H. Sterling, by June 30. This action is being taken under Sub-section 3 of Section 18 of the GovRailwa - vs Amendment Act, 1.1- The sub-section reads; “At any time within one year after the commencement of this Act, the board may submit to the Minister a report on any railway or part of a railway then under construction (being a railway or part of a railway the construction of which was begun before the commencement of this Act), recommending that the work of construction be not further proceeded with or that it be carried out to such extent only as is recommended by the board. The Minister shall as soon as practicable after receiving such report cause the same to be laid before both Houses of Parliament, and if both such Houses pass a resolution approving the recommendation of the board no further work in connection with the construction of such railway or part of a railway shall thereafter be carried out except in accordance with the recommendation of the board.” PROGRESS OF WORK AT PARNASSUS END. FORMATION IN HAND TO NORTH OF CONWAY RIVER Formation work on the southern end of the railway is proceeding on a section of seventeen miles north from the present terminus at Parnassus, approximately 350 men being employed. At the northern end construction is proceeding on a much greater length and a large numbed of men employed. At the Parnassus end the permanent rails have been laid from the railway station to the Leader River bridge site, a distance of approximately threequarters of a mile. The design of the bridge is at present in hand. The formation work is complete on the next two miles except for one large cutting in which about 5000 cubic yards of material have to be excavated. A steam shovel is at present used on this work. The Hawkeswood Cutiing. A considerable amout of heavy W’ork has still to be done in the next two miles, including the excavation of 48 chains of cutting at the Hawkeswood Saddle. It was originally proposed that a tunnel should be constructed through the saddle but the plans have been amended and a deep cutting is to be excavated instead. Tenders for this work were recently invited, but all were rejected on account of the prices being too high, and the Public Works Department has now decided to make the cuttings by using two large dragline excavators. The greatest depth of the cutting will be 69ft and it is estimated that over half a million yards of material will have to be shifted. This work will take about twelve months to complete and it constitutes the controlling feature in the construction of the railway between Parnassus and the mouth of the Conway River. By the time the cutting is finished the whole of the formation to the mouth of the Conway River is expected to be ready. On the sixth mile all the cuttings have been excavated, but there are still a number of fillings to be made with spoil from the Hawkeswood Saddle cutting. The bridge over the Conway River is to be constructed in the next mile. Borings for the bridge have been taken and the design will be proceeded with shortly. The lengh of the bridge tVill be about 800 feet. Change in Original Route.

A steam shovel is at present at work in the eighth mile where there is one cutting and one filling to be completed. The work is well in hand along the next two miles, after which a,. deviation from the original plan has been decided upon. It was proposed to take the fine along a route that would have involved very heavy cuttings, but it is now intended to take it along the bank of the river. This will necessitate the construction of gabion groyne protective works, but it will ensure a much better alignment and will result in a saving in expense.

The railway will pass over the main highway in the twelfth mile, and just pass the road, on the downstream side of the bridge, the Hundalee station will be situated. For the next three miles the formation is well in hand. The Claverly station yard will be situated on the flat about three miles from the Hundalee station. A short distance beyond-this point the railway strikes the sea coast, and the present work is not being continued far from the mouth of the Conway River. Survey parties are now at work on the section from Claverly to Oaro, on which a good deal of heavy work is required. The distance from Parnassus to the Kahautara River is approximately twenty-nine miles. Kailcoura is about five or six miles from the Kahautara River. INTERESTS OF SOUTH TO BE CLOSELY WATCHED. “ I have always been in favour of completing the South Island Main Trunk line,” said Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., Mayor of Christchurch, commenting this morning on the board’s proposal. “ I think this investigation will result in a recommendation for a continuation of the work. The interests of the South Island will be closely watched.”