RAILWAY OPENED

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22793, 17 December 1945, Page 4

RAILWAY OPENED

SOUTHERN MAIN TRUNK TOTAL COST OF £4,645,907 (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH. Monday There is now a through rail connection from Bluff to Picton. The last link in the South Island Main Trimk was declared officially open at a ceremony at Kaikoura on Saturday. The bridging of the gap between Wharanui and Parnassus was first projected 70 years ago, and since work was started it has been many times stopped and restarted under various Governments. However, since the present Government took office it has pushed work ahead steadily, in spite of the difficult terrain and delays caused by the war. About a year ago the line was completed to Kaikoura from the north and to Oaro from the south and the completion of this 15-mile stretch, which was marked by Saturday’s ceremony, completed the South Island system. Nelson is the only town not linked to it. Kaikoura’s Gala Day Kaikoura had a gala day for the opening and special trains from Christchurch and Blenheim brought more than 3000 visitors. The cutting of a ribbon to allow the Ministerial railcar to make the first through trip was performed by Mrs F. J. Monk, wife of the chairman of the Kaikoura County Council. Speakers at the official opening ceremony included the Minister of Works and Railways, Mr Semple, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, the member for the district, Mr Meachen, chairmen of county councils and mayors of South Island towns. The ceremony included the presentation of a dinner-waggon and a canteen of cutlery to Mr Semple and a china cabinet to Mr Meachen. The Minister subsequently unveiled a plaque, erected on the station wall, to the memory of eight workmen who lost their lives during the construction of the line. Largest Railway Cutting The South Island Main Trunk line had cost £4,645,907 and of that sum £3,004,274 had been spent since the work was resumed by the present Government in 1936, said Mr Semple. In the Blue Slip more than 500,000 cubic yards of soil were shifted, and more than 300,000 cubic yards in the Hawkeswood Cutting, which is 53 chains in length, 63ft. deep and cost £44,000. It is the largest railway cutting in New Zealand. Between Wharanui and Parnassus there are 43 bridges totalling approximately two miles in length and 20 tunnels totalling three miles in length. The total square footage of buildings erected is 63,021. Total evacuation on the section was 3,661303 square yards and in addition 195,000 yards were excavated for river protection. Twenty miles of sand dunes between Kaikoura and Wharanui had to be planted with marram grass and lupin. Pinus insignis and eucalyptus are later to be planted. The average number of workmen engaged until the war made its effect felt was 836. The peak figure of 995 was reached in July, 1937. By June, 1942, 128 men were on the job, but this later rose to 400. Faster Through Service “ With the completion of this trunk line the passenger journey from Christchurch to Blenheim is now scheduled to occupy a little over seven hours compared with nine hours at the beginning of last year,” said the Minister. “ Similarly in the return direction the journey will occupy 7£ hours compared with 9£ hours a little over 18 months ago. “ An excellent through goods service will also be available to business people and others trading with Christchurch. Goods leaving Christchurch at 8.30 a.m. will be available at Blenheim about 10.30 a.m. the following morning. Goods consigned at Blenheim during the day will be available at Christchurch for 8 a.m. delivery the following morning.”