OUR RAILWAYS.

Evening Star, Issue 3732, 8 February 1875, Page 3

OUR RAILWAYS.

Residents on the ; lain are inquiring, and very naturally, how it is that the works on the Awamnko branch line of railway are not being pushed on w th vLor and energy. We have the best authority for stating that the main line, as far as the junction with the A wauioko branch will be completed in three weeks, or at the latest within a mon’h of the date of this writing, and that one of the locomotives receu ly received will be fitted up and in running order by the same date, . . • The present condition of the branch line is not [such as to show any intention on the part of the contractor to “push the work forward,” whatever mav have been the intention of the Government, for a recent visitor assures us that “the grass is growing between the sleepers, and the metals are not in some places to be seen for tho vegetation which has sprung up beside them.” It is now getting toward- the middle.-f February, and if'the Government are anxious to do all in their power to “push the work forward,” ho w is it they have not insisted on the contractor fulfilling the terms of his contract ? - 4 North Utago Times.’ Railway construction is proceeding quickly in Canterbury. The sou hj bridge as far as the Srlwyn can be opened at any moment the Government thinks fit. On the northern line, the bridge over the Ashby will be fi- ished in a couple of day«, and it is expected the-line, will be opened that far within two months. The alteration of gauge on the southern line as far as Holiest n will be finished in a week It was intended at one time to take up the broad gauge lines from Dunsandel to Rollcstnn, when the narrow gauge was finished, but this work will now he postponed till after the grain season. The line between Timaru and South Opohi, though re dy, will not be opened till May next, owing to the difficulty experienced in obtaining tenders for station buildings.