FURTHER RETARDED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 264, 8 November 1945, Page 4

FURTHER RETARDED

RAILWAY DEVIATION AT TURAKINA MEN BEING~TRANSFERRED TO HYDRO WORKS Already behind schedule because of an acute shortage, of cement during the past few months, construction work on the railway deviation between Turakina and Okoia is understood to have practically reached a standstill. In the near future a large number of men employed in the deviation will be transferred to the hydro-electric undertaking at Karapiro, in the Waikato district, where every effort is being made to complete the project as soon as possible because of the power shortage in the North Island. Only a skeleton staff will be retained on the Turakina-Okoia deviation and no effective progress is likely before January, when the position will be reviewed. If is understood also that the men will he given the option of transferring to Karapiro, or knocking off. Designed for the purpose of eliminating the steep gradients on the main line between Turakina and Okoia the railway deviation has experienced a number of setbacks. Early this year good progress was being made and the job was up to schedule, with every prospect of being completed in the early part of 1946. At the end of last summer, however a shortage of cement developed and as the year progressed the position became more difficult. Supplies were inadequate for the demands of the deviation, with the result that some men were transferred during the winter months to other Works Department undertakings in the district. <i T . he , new development has meant that the deviation has been further retarded and it is not known when the work will be completed. It is believed that in the meantime only sufficient men will be left on the job foi maintenance purposes.