NORTH TRUNK RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 40, 16 February 1905, Page 3

NORTH TRUNK RAILWAY.

THE MAKATOTE VIADUCT. (By Telegraph..—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day.

The announcement that the Public Works Department is about to call for tenders for the construction of the Makatote viaduct seems to mark a new stage in the progress of the Main Trunk Line. Makatote is in the Wainiarino Forest, and is, it would now

appear, the point at which the two ends of the line advancing from north and south will meet. The putting in hand of this central point of the present uncompleted gap, central from the standpoint of probable time of coniStruction, is therefore a very important step. Past experience has shown that if construction is to be speedy, extraordinarily big works should be commenced in advance of the line, because they are keys to its progress. If a big tunnel or viaduct is inconiplete construction on the farther side of it cannot be carried on to advantage. The Makohine viaduct, where the slipping of the foundations caused unforeseen delays, is a case in point. It is not anticipated that the foundations at Makatote will give the same trouble, and the departmental view seems to be that the measure of time required for the completion of Makatote is the measure of time required for the completion of the line, that is to say, when the Makatote viaduct is completed the railway works leading , to it from south and north will probably be ready. How iar distant this event will be is, as before, a matter of conjecture. Though the same trouble "with the foundations is not expected it must be remembered that the Makatote viaduct -will be both longer and kigher than the noted Makohine.

Mataroa settlers state that the Minister for Public Works on a Tecent visit there promised them the completion of the line in four years, an estimate not shared in by those on the spot. Prom the point of view of distance, Makatote is nearer to the present northern works than to the southern ones. The railway is getting closer to it all the time, but when the material for the viaduct comes to be delivered there will be at least fourteen miles of cartage between the railhead and the site of the viaduct. Cartage costs all the price paid for having big works put in hand in advance of the line, that is, for speedy completion, the alternative is slower construction and loss of earning power on completed but nonusable portions. Tenders- will be called outside as well as within the colony.

Makatote is a deep gorge, richly wooded, and one of the finest scenic spots on the line. It is understood that the Department has taken steps to preserve the forest.