THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAYS.

5

D.—No. 6n.

sharpest curve 10 chains radius; the estimated cost of which, including rolling stock, is £3,421 per mile. 1 have based my estimates on using the same material in the construction of bridges and culverts, viz., blue gum, as I did on section from Invercargill to Long Ford, excepting the abutments of bridges carrying public roads over railway, which will be of rubble masonry, and constructed for double line of railway. In order to obtain the best line, I have kept the low ground between the spurs running from ranges of hills. A great portion of the present surface is covered in floods which rise and fall gradually, and without any strong current endangering earthwork; and I have kept tho line at such a height as to be well out of the reach of such floods, and made ample provision for the escape of the waters to their natural outlet. Most of the roads crossed on this section are at present unformed (only reserved on survey plans), and no road is raised or lowered to cross it on a level to a degree to injure its utility. All roads on this section have steep grades in them, as bad as 1 in 12 ; I estimate all approaches to railway line to be not greater than 1 in 20. You will see that the price of earthwork is increased 2d. per yard above earthwork on section Invercargill to Long Ford; the extra length of lead from cuttings to the embankments, also the extra height of the embankments where they have to be formed from side-cuttings, necessitate this. The ballast is also increased 4d. per yard. I have every confidence that good gravel ballast can be obtained, but it is not so plainly visible as over the section from Invercargill to Long Ford. The price of sleepers I have also slightly increased, as but little timber suitable is near the line on the section. I have estimated the same rolling stock for the fifty miles as I did for the Invercargill and Long Ford section of forty miles in length; at first I should not consider it necessary to order this stock, letting that already estimated for do the work, and only ordering additional as it is found the traffic increases. The largest and most expensive work on this section is the crossing of the Clutha, estimated at £7,000. I should strongly recommend that before any crossing is constructed, the present action of this river should be carefully considered. It is yearly encroaching, and lam of opinion that unless some works are constructed above, so as to throw it into its former course, it only requires a flood a little above the ordinary ones to make it take its course through the township, leaving the present bridge high and dry. lam certain it is a matter for serious consideration in constructing a railway crossing over this river, and more especially for those who have property in this township. The country through which this section runs I consider good agricultural land on the low portions, which will be taken in the construction of the line, but little has been done to improve it; but from 63 miles to the Clutha, the land alongside of the line is principally purchased, and a great portion broken up. From Long Ford to 63 miles, it is still occupied by pastoral tenants. I have, according to instructions, supplied the Commissioner of Crown Lands with tracing, showing what land, for purposes of this railway, should be reserved from public sale. I have the honor to enclose lithograph plan, showing course of this line from Invercargill to the Clutha. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. W. Brunton, C.E.

Enclosure in No. 2. Approximate Estimate—Otago Southern Trunk Bailway. Long Ford and Clutha Section —Length 49 miles 79 chains 24 links ; single line of railway, 3 feet 6 inch gauge; weight of rails, 36 lbs. to the yard; works over railway constructed for double line of rails. Earthwork— £ s. d. Main Line ... ... ... 730,013 cub. yds. Deviations and Approaches ... 95,502 „ Stations and Sidings ... ... 27,000 „ 858,515, at Is. 3d. per cubic yard ...53,657 3 9 Ballast — Main Line ... ... ... 110,000 cub. yds. Stations and Sidings ... ... 6,600 „ 116,600, at 2s. per cubic yard ...11,660 0 0 Rails — Main Line ... ... ... 2,850 tons Stations and Sidings ... ... 171 „ 3,021, at £9 per ton ... ...27,189 0 0 Dogs, Fish-plates, and 801t5... ... 113 tons Stations and Sidings ... ... 6f „ 119J, at £10 per ton ... ... 1,197 0 0 Sleepers — Main Line ... ... ... 105,600 sleepers Stations and Sidings ... ... 6,336 111,936, at 2s. 2d. ... ...12,126 8 0 Mis. chs. Bridges at 43 27, four 30 feet openings under railway ... ... ... 720 0 0 „ 48 37, two 30 feet openings under railway ... ... ... ... 360 0 0 „ 52 25, five 30 feet openings under railway ... ... ... ... 900 0 0 „ 56 40, one 20 feet opening under railway ... ... ... ... 145 0 0 „ 57 52, one 20 feet opening under railway ... ... ... ... 145 0 0 „ 66 16, one 25 feet opening over railway ... ... ... ... 280 0 0 2