RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2691, 22 December 1909, Page 7

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL LINES. In detailing the position of the various railways, the Minister of Public Works in his Statement said: — On the Kawakawa-Graliamstown line last year £32,616 was expended, and a vote "of £40,000 is -proposed. A short branch' line from Kawakawa to Kaikohe, to open up much fertile country in Hokianga district and to afford a valuable connection with the North of Auckland trunk line, the construction of which it would cheapen is regarded , by the Minister as a justifiable and profitable undertaking, and it is propos. ed to provide for the construction of this railway in the Railways Authorisation Bill of the present- Session, and a vote of £ISOO to make a commencement of the work is' provided on the Estimates. Regarding the North of Auckland line, the Minister stated that as the result of fiis inspection and careful enquiries he came to the conclusion that, the-demand for the more westerly route was well-grounded. It 'will be now possible to employ a larger number of men so that better progress will he made in future. It s proposed to appoint a Royal Commission to decide the best route northwards from MeCarroll’s. Last year’s expenditure was £50,983, and for the current year £BO,OOO is proposed. The Stratford' main trunk lino has been vigorously proceeded with. This railway now taps the main arterial road of the district, and consequently will be of great benefit to Last veax’s expenditure was £43,071, and this year £60,000 is proposed. Mount Egrnont branch: An inclined tramway will be needed in place of the proposed extension, to give a permanent supply of solid stone. Last year £21738 was spent, and £50,000 is no.v provided for. Mam Trunk line: When my predecessor delivered his Statement , last year a tfain had been run between Wellington and Auckland and back, namely, on the occasion of the visit of the American fleet. This was quite a special train, however, and special arrangements had to be made in order to get it through, as a portion of the line had only recently been laid, and' many miles of it were entirely unballasted. Since that date the line lias been completed, and handed over to the Working Railways Department, and regular through trains have been 'run since the lotli February last. A vote of £225,000 taken .in last .year’s appropriations proved to be in excess of requirements. Only £140,833 came to charge during the year, but a number of liabilities remained on 31 March last. A vote of £20,000 is provided on' the present Estimates to cover the same. Oil the Blenheim-Waipara line last year £36,716 was spent, and for the current year a vote of £45,000 is proposed, the Authorisation Bill to provide for a further extension south of 31miles. Midland: It is hoped to complete a section about the cud of the summer of 1911, which, with the conipeltion of the Reefton-Inanguhua line to Inangaliua junction, will reduce the coach journey between Nelson and the West Coast to 25 miles, and enable the ' through journey-between Nelson and Greymouth to be accomplished in a day. Regarding the Midland Tunnel contract the Minister said progress in the future niust be greater than hitherto, if the contract is to be completed by the date stipulated, August Ist., ÜB-j. The' line on the Canterbury side will shortly be finished to Cass, shortening the coach journey between East and West Coasts to about 25 miles, making the performance of the journey m the one day quite an easy .matter. The expenditure, on the whole railway last year was £124,402, and for the current year £170,100 is asked for. On the Westport-Inangahua line last ! year £8567 iVas spent, and a vote of "£20,000 is proposed. On the NgahereBlackball line £33,804 was spent, and £3OOO is proposed to complete the remaining work; on the Greymouth-Point Elizabeth line £50,000 is proposed. The Hokitika-Ross has been completed, last year’s expenditure having been £14,298. The Roxburgh line it is proposed to complete to Big Hill, and open it for traffic. The question of carrying on the work beyond that point, however, is one requiring, careful consideration. 4ho Government is unable to see its way to'take further steps in the matter, unless an adequate' guarantee is forthcoming that reasonable interest bo returned. Last year’s expenditure was £14,076, and the current year’s vote, is ; £12,500. % j The Waikaka railway has been completed .and handed over, the expenditure having been £29,549. The CatlinsWaimahaka line has also been completed, and it is “ proposed to extend it a .mile and a-half, also at the Catlins end. Last year £35,091 was spent, and for tho current year £BO,OOO is asked Riversdale-Switzers: Fourteen mileS has been completed, and handed over. ,Expenditure £20,478,. vote, proposed £20,000. Orepiiki-Waiau has been completed ; spent last year £15,846, vote of . £15,000 asked .for. . '_ ' y : , [Particulars 1 concerning, the East Coast line were published in last issue.— Ed.] •