INSPECTION BY The HON. W. HALL JONES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11481, 14 January 1903, Page 8

INSPECTION BY The HON. W. HALL JONES.

(nr our si'KciAr, rkfokter.)

Yesterday the generally uneventful process of pushing on the Midland Railway from Pattersons Creek towards the West Coast was walked by an eve.nl <>f some importance. This was the visit of the Minister of Public Woiks (the H«:n. W. HallJones) to the .scene to acquaint himself, from personal observation, \\ itii tlu , progress which lms been madr, and the difficulties which remain to be overcome. Leaving Christ church 'by the morning train for Springfield, Mr Hall-Jones, accompanied by his secretary, Mr G. C. Smith, and representatives of the Press, lunched at the Springtk-ld Hotel, and proceeded from there by train to Patienoon's Creek. Thence the party went <n by means of a waggonette, provided by Mr Caesidy. to Staircase Gully, situated about four miles past the Cieek. Here several others joined the company, and driving was of neoessity abandoned in favour ot riding, the remainder of the country being of an extremely rough description. The whole journey "from Springfield, made in splendid weather, through th? beautiful and varied scenery of this part of the line, was exceedingly enjoyable.

Mr \V. H. Gavin, resident engineer, accompanied tine party from Springfield, and pointed out the obstacle!; in the way of tue work, and the manner in which they had either been met or were proposed to be met. The party proceeded as far as the Avoca Creek, slightly over four miles from Staircase Gully, and fourteen miles from Springfield, covering some veiy broken country and crossing several stream*; on the way. At Avoca Creek the ruggedness ot the district. gives place to a fairly level plain, affording no special engineering difficulties until one reaches the Cass, about thirteen miles further on. The return jcurney wus spoiled by continuous rain. Tea was taken at the Broken River camp, and the party resumed waggonette travelling at .Staircase Gully.' and arrived at. Springfield about ha.f-past eight jfki the evening. The chief difficulties which have to be suimounted in connection with the line consist of the numerous tunnels required, ami the bridga to be constructed over .Staircase Gully. The I iron bridge which is being buiit over Patterson's Creek is progressing satisfactorily, and is expected to be finished by the end of March. Up to the present, in addition to the tunnel on the near side of Patterson's Creek, which was made by the Midland Railway Company, six others have been completed, or partially completed, between the Creek and Staircase Guliy. About eight more will need to be constructed between the last mentioned place and tine Cass. About. 170 men are just now employed upon the line, the bulk of them between Staircase Gully and the Broken River camp, situated about two miles further on.

After his visit of inspection yesterday the Minister for Public Works informed arepresentative of "The Press" that he hid determined on having the Broken River bridge finished at the same time as that over Stnirca.se Gully. The formation of ttie lins between tlicss two places will be continued while the bridges are being constructed, so that on their completion the railway will run right through to the other side of the Broken River, from where there is a good coach road to the Cass. A large number of extra men will be employed on the work, a few of them at once, and more in the course of a week or two.

At Springfield la.st night Mr Hall-Jones was met by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. F. Wigram), the »ity surveyor (Mr A. D. Dobson), and Mr R. H. Holmes (inspecting engineer of the Public Works Department). The parly will leave by this morning's train for West Oxford, and profeed by train from thffire to Rangiora, whence a visit will be made to the proposed site for the intake in connection wiili the Waimakariri power scheme. From Rangiorp, the Minister will leave by the evening train for Culverden, and on Thursday and Friday he will inspect th-> rout? of the proposed line from Culverden to Hanmer, returning to Christchurch. in time to leave for Wellington on Saturday nisrht.