RAILWAY DEVIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 8, 7 December 1926, Page 7

RAILWAY DEVIATION.

EXCAVATION WORK PROCEEDING NO WORD OF MAJOR OPERATIONS For some six months past a gang of about 30 men has been engaged in excavation work on the site of the goods yard of the railway deviation. Although quite a substantial amount of preparatory work has been accomplished, there is as yet no indication as to when the major part of operations will be commenced.

The spoil from the several drives into the higher levels south-west of the Milson settlement has been spread out in the shape of long lines on the land lying tow'ards Rangitikei street, the formation thus created being destined for the purposes of future railroad tracks in the goods yard and for the main through line. During the past three weeks explosives have been used for loosening the stiff clay in the excavation “heads” and two magazines, one to house detonators and the other containing gelignite and powder, have been constructed. The explosives, a “Standard” reporter was informed this morning, are doing excellent work and greatly facilitating the removal of the spoil. The drives in some cases now have “faces” 10 to 14 feet deep. A steam shovel can be economically operated on any “face” from eight feet deep upwards and it would appear that, before many months have passed, the department w r ill be obliged to determine whether or not it is to proceed without further delay with the major operations. These will involve the use of steam shovels which would probably be brought here from some other scene of railway constructional activity. In view of the magnitude of the deviation proposal, and the extent to which it will affect Palmerston North, the immediate policy of the department in respect to the work is a matter of interest to local residents and a further announcement at an early date is hoped for.