TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1384, 9 March 1912, Page 6

TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY

WORK TO BEGIN IN MAY. .?y Telorrajjli-Preaj Aaeoclatlon-Oopyrlrht Melbourne, March 8. Mr. King O'Malley,. Federal Minister for Home Affairs, informed a deputation that ho-would sfort to employ men in connection with tho Transcontinental railway in May next. 'A'HUGE UNDERTAKING. Arrangements wei'O completed last month for tho issue of tenders in conuecton with the .transcontinental railway from Port Augusta lo Kulgoorlic. Tenders are being invited for theso rails in nil the Australia, and also in Lon- . don. > ■■- ; The Minister for Homo Affairs (Mr. O'Malley) claims this is tho biggest railway work: in the world. He states that nowhere have 1053 miles of railway, .which is tho length of. the'• .transcontinental line, been built in ono job. About 1800 men will. bo required, 000 of whom will to engaged nt the Western Australian starting point, and 900 nt Port Augusta. Tho work is to bo continued by day labour, but Commonwealth reservos to itself the right to letting out contracts if it is thought advisable. It is not yet decided of what material the sleepers are to be made, bnt probably jarrah will bo selected. 'Many other tenders will also have to bo : called for, but with regard to tho engines no decision will be come to until full particulars have been obtained about nn 800-ton internal combusion engine, which is now being constructed in England. Asked as to whether preference would .be given to English manufacturers, Mr. O'Malley referred to tho fact that outside 'Australia tenders wero only to bd called for ili England. "This," ho said, "should •he an' indication of our intention. But I ; don'Bwant to Bay anything on this subject for tho present."