THE INTERIOR RAILWAY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 798, 3 August 1877, Page 3

THE INTERIOR RAILWAY.

— o— BLAIR-TAIERI TO AIMES 1 . The following is the official report by Mr R. Hay, engineer to the Taieri County Council In accordance with my instructions I have made, in conjunction with Mr Browne, engineer to the Maniototo County Council, a reconnaisance survey of a further portion of the proposed railway lino to the interior, extending from Blair-Taieri to Aimes’, being distant about six miles in a southerly direction from Naseby; and a junction , is here effected with the line already surveyed by Mr Coyle between Waihemo and Clyde. I have now the honor be submit the following report for your information On leaving the Blair-Taieri the line would take an almost direct course to Mr Main’s station, through the Strath-Taieri Plains, leaving Mr Humphrey’s homestead on the right hand in close proximity to the line, and maintaining a distance from the Tsieri River varying from 40 to 89 chains. The country through which this portion ■of the proposed railway passes is of a character highly suitable for the necessary works of construction, and for a distance, of nine miles the average gradient would be 1 in 473, and the earthwork merely consists of surface formation, while gravel for ballasting purposes and -stone for culverts are in close proximity to the line of route. From Mr Main’s station for a distance of eight miles the average gradient would be almost as easy, namely, I in 422; though the country assumes a slightly broken ■character, intersected by numerous small creeks, and a more sinuous line will be necessary, in order to avoid the high spurs running down to the banks of the river. On this portion of the line the culverts and •small bridges will form the [principal items of cost, but either stone for building or shingle for concrete could be obtained in abundance, and in close proximity to the works. A careful reconnaisance was made with a view of carrying the line through Hyde, but though feasible to reach the -centre of the township by employing heavy gradients for a short distance, it was found that the saddle to the north of Hyde presented an ■obstacle only to be overcome by a tunnel halt a mile long, and very severe gradients in order to descend to the river again for the purpose of crossing into the Maniototo Plains. It was therefore found expedient to continue the line along the banka of the river, the gradients flattenix g to 1 in 4G2 for the next seven miles. The only difficulties on this section of the line are the projecting rocky bluffs—three in number—which will require a heavy expenditure being incurred for a short distance. The ground between these bluffs consists of long flat terraces, and the expense of forming the line ever these would be trilling. The Capburn requires openings for about 00 feet of waterway. The Taieri would be crossed at a very favorable site, and the line finally leave the banks of the river about tv o miles below the Taieri Lake, and rising on to the terraces above the Kyeburn with a gradient of 1 in 106. After passing over the Kyeburn about l j mile Below Malloch’s accommodation-house, .graiieuts of I in 55 will be necessary for crossing the dividing ridge on the west side of the Kyeburn. The length of the steeper gradients will bo about one mile, ascending and descending. The bridge over the Kyeburn would require to be of considerable length, though not necessarily of long spans. An afternative lino is shown on plan by which the gradients may bo eased, but the length is increased, while a considerable divergence is made from the direct lino of route. Having crossed this ridge or terrace, an ■average gradient of I in 104 would carry the line over an easy and undulating country to the Hogburn Creek, in the immediate vicimty of a house known as “ Aimes’.” From this point a branch line of about six miles in length could he carried up the Hogburn Cully to Naseby with an average gradient of 1 in 55, the coat of construction being very inexpensive. I append a plan showing the route of the proposed lino as set forth in the report. approximate estimate. Bunedinto Mosgiel ... 9 miles constructed ulosgiel to cud of constructed lino ... 2 To Blair-Taieri ... ." 29 £161,000 "Jaw-Taieri to Aimes’ 33 136,030 73 £297,05

With respect to the above estimate, I consider it a liberal one, the various works —bridges, culverts, 40., —being taken into full consideration in foiming an estimate of the total approximate cost of constructing the lino to the interior as far as reported upon.—lam, 40., R. Hay, Engineer,