GISBORNE-NAPIER RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3556, 22 June 1912, Page 5

GISBORNE-NAPIER RAILWAY.

PROPOSED TAKINO OF METAL FROM PATUTAHI! QUARRY-

COUNTY AND DISTRICT EXGIN- '

EERS TO CONFER

For the work of ballasting a portion of the Gisborne-N a pier railway the Government proposes to take a considerable amount of metal from The' Cook County Council quarry at Patutahi, a proposal that is not viewed Ijvorably by the Engineer. ’The matter came before the Council yesterday. The Under-Secretary for Public Works wrote regarding the proposal to take metal from the Patutahi Quarry for the purpose of ballasting portion of the adjacent section of the GisboneNapicr Railway, he was directed by the Minister for Public Works to inform the Council that he had perused g report on the subject by the DistrictEngineer from which it appeared that the stone was required for ballasting about two - miles of the railway across the Gisborne Flats, where the formation would he liable to inundation by flood waters during winter monthse The ordinary river shingle which would he used on other parts of the line would not be suitable for use where flood waters might cross the line and it was essential that heavier metal should be used on. the two-mile length across the flats. It was for -this special purpose that it was proposed to take metal from the Patutahi Quarry, which was the only convenient source from whHi suitable material can be obtained. The amount which the Department would require was only a little over 5000 cubic yards, which would not seriously deplete the supply at the quarry, and he was directed to point out that when this line reached tlie valley of the Hangaroa river the Council would be able to obtain by rail an ample supply of metal for road improvement at a cost probably lower than me . d from the quarry cost at present. The railway under construction would shortly carry a large portion of the heavy traffic now borne by the County roads and thereby would reduce the amount required for their maintenance, and the Minister trusted that when all the circumstances were considered the Council would not press its objection to the heavy stone required by the Department being taken from the Patutahi Quarry. The Engineer pointed cut that the quarry would be depleted of 5009 yards were taken, and there was suitable metal for ballasting an adjacent property. The Council decided that the Engineer should confer with Air O. E. Armstrong on the matter.