SOUTH MAIN TRUNK

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20832, 16 June 1939, Page 8

SOUTH MAIN TRUNK

PROGRESS WITH NEW LINE WORK WELL UP TO SCHEDULE (By Telegraph.—ftps* Association BLENHEIM, Thursday In spite of many difficult problems, engineering especially, on the southern section, remarkable progress has been made in recent months with the construction of the South Island Main Trunk railway. The work generally is well up to schedule, and, provided no unforseen circumstances arise, a train running over the whole of the route should be possible well within the estimated time in 1941. This is the opinion of Mr E. P. Meachen, M.P., who has returned from a week’s tour of the line. On the southern section the railway is complete as far as Ilundalee. Already about 12 stock trains have left this station for Addington. Acutally, the section between Parnassus and Hundalee is considered to he ready for handing over to the Railways Department. For another six miles north of Hundalee the formation is complete and plate-laying will shortly he put in hand. Heavy Tunnel Work Excellent progress is being made at the Amuri tunnel. The heaviest remaining work on the whole line is between Oaro and the Kahautara River. Thirteen tunnels have to he built and three have been completed. On the northern section the work is well under way. The Clarence Bridge has advanced to the stage where it only requires the arrival of steel from the Railway Department's workshops, hut some months will be occupied in fabricating it on the spot. POSTPONED FOR WEEK NAPIER-WAIROA OPENING (By Telegraph.—Press Association) GISBORNE, Thursday The official function to mark the opening of the railway passenger service between Napier and Wairoa has been postponed for a week. The ceremony was fixed previously for June 24, hut the dale has been altered now to July l. This advice was received by the Mayor of Wairoa, Mr 11. L. Darker, I who stated that the date originally j arranged was unsuitable for the Ministers concerned. : Arrangements have been made for j the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. j It. Semple, and the Minister of RailI ways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, to attend together with Mr Jt. G. Maekley, j general manager of railways. Mr Semple already had prior duties to perform on June 24.