EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1388, 14 March 1912, Page 6

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

« »—~— THE WAIHI-TATJBAXGA SECTION. Describing tlie route to bo followed by tho Wailii-Touranga section of .tlio East Coast railway (of which the first sod was turned on Monday by- the Prime Minister), the "Waikato Argus" remarks that the new line, starting from AYaihi Station, proceeds easterly ami.south-easterly, through tho township, crosses this Ohineinuri River about the end of the first mile. It then proceeds up the valley of AVaitcmata stream nearly three miles, and thence to the 'Saddle, near Hikuraugi mountain. After crossing the Saddle tho lino runs along the AVaiau Creek east, with it, grade of 1 in 50, about throe miles coming out on lower country at Athonree. nine miles from tho starting point. The line will later on lie extended along tho foreshore of Tauranpra Harbour, crossing tho Tauparo, Taliawia, am! Ai--I'arie weeks till it reaches Katikati. Thoncp llio route continues along the. shoro of the .harbour, crossing small spurs and water courses at right angles, "iving a somewhat UTifven line, aiul finally loaches Tnuraiija. aljo\it 10 iwiles from Waihi. Bclweeii Waihi and AthiMirw thn .oonstniction work will bi- fairly lieavy far tho first two miles. The newt four miles up tr> t!:e Saddle and down tho sofje heavy work will again be encountered for fivn. wiles, and the last few miles to Katikati'will be about the average. Tliero will be sover:\l bridges of small span and considerable grading, as the 'country lo I'o trnvorsed is by no means level. The lino will cost ftbciut »SIO,OOO per mile, which is the avera.ee cost for ,new railvay.i in Kew Zealand during recent years. The highest point on the section' nrw ooninifnceil i« on thf Saddle, nboul 100 feel; above Waihi, ami. the line drops again to near sea level at different points along the foreshore.