THE DUNEDIN AND CLUTHA RAILWAY.

Evening Star, Issue 3165, 12 April 1873, Page 3

THE DUNEDIN AND CLUTHA RAILWAY.

The works throughout the Waihola and Tokomairiro division of Messrs Brogdeu 1 * ppntract uppn the Dunedin and (Jluthu Railway seem to progress very satisfactorily. The past season has been peculiarly favorable for operations in the swampy and low-lying ground, over which for a long distance the line passes, and the fine weather has been taken full advantage of for pushing ?< \ the works. Already all the heaviest poriona of the earth-work between the crossing over the Waihola river and the termination of the contract at Lovell’s Flat are finished. About half of the work on the Waijipja lake embankment hag already been got through. The stone culverts seem to be of very superior workmanship, and ought to last, with a minimum amount of repairs, for many years to come. They are built of rubble, set in lime mortar, the lime being procured at Waihola. The culverts have all been finished with the exception of two in Mr Corsan’s property pf Meadowbank, where the contractors have not as yet been put in possession of the ground by the Government. As to the bridges, a commencement has not yet been made with any in the division of the contract referred to. Of these there are eight of small dimensions, all of which have been let to Mr Lawson, of Tokomairiro. Messrs Lawson and Fraser have also the contract for the supply of sleepers, and these are being laid down along the line. There are two Targe bridges to construct, one across the Taieri, and the other across the Waihola branch. The erection of these will be commenced so soon as the material, part of which has to arrive from Great Britain, can be laid down upon the site. The dry weather which, as has been said, has been so fortunate for one portion of fhe work) has considerably retarded another

portion, viz, the fencing, of which, we believe only about six miles have yet been erected. The recent rains, however, will facilitate this work, which, no doubt, will be carried on with a more satisfactory rate of [>: ogress. At Chain Hills the tunnel is pro grossing from both sides, and it is expected it will be driven through in the course of about six months. In tlm meantime, however, operations on the south side have been much retarded by the occurrence of heavy slips. ! he laying of the permanent way has been cotv.me-ced between Dunedin and Green Island, and it is expected that a distance of six miles will be sufficiently well advanced in two months, to permit the locomotive to be started to convey whatever materials maybe required, and ballast, which can be procured at convenient spots all along the line. —Bruce Herald.