PARLIAMENTARY

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 33, 27 August 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

[PER UNITED PBESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, August 25. The following are the leading features of local interest in the Hon Mr Richardson's Public Works Statement delivered in the House this

evening : — NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY. Marton-Te Awamutu. — Immediately after the route of this railway was determined upon by Parliament, I gave instructions to have the contract surveys put in hand, and the Engineer in Chief employed a large staff of surveyors to permanently locate the line, with the result that the Department was able to call for tenders in February last for about 15 miles at the northern end and about 13 miles at the southern, and these contracts were let in April last and the works have been commenced at both ends. About six miles of the formation works of the northern section were retained to be performed by the Maori population resident in the district, and it must be most satisactory to honourable members to hear that the whole of this work has been taken up in small contracts by these men, and that the works are well in hand. The heaviest work on this' line is the Purotarau tunnel, between the watersheds of the Mokau and Wanganui rivers, about 48 miles south of Te Awamutu, and it was considered desirable that this work should be undertaken at an early stage of the proceedings, in order that there might be no delay in continuing the line when the other lighter works are completed up to the time. Tenders were therefore called for the works some months since, and a contract for its completion has recently been let at a satifactory price. Tenders have also recently been called for two further sections of this line, that at the northern end being about 12 miles in length and at the southern end about eight miles ; and of these the tenders for the southern section have been received, and are now being dealt with. On the road from Kihikihi a contract has been let for a bridge to cross the Puniu River, and beyond this a road is now being constructed to give approach to the various works along the northern end of the railway. Some fifty Maoris are at work upon this road by contract. A survey has been made for a road about fifteen miles long to connect the Purotarau tunnel with the head of the navigation of the Ngarua and Wanganui rivers and the work is now being carried out by small contracts. It will be very beneficial in allowing the contractor access to the railway works, and will also be valuable after the line is complete as a means of opening up the country, and the road is being laid out to Banana on the Wanganui River and the railway line where it traverses to the Murimotu Plain. A careful survey has been made of the Wanganui River, with the result that by the expenditure of a comparatively small sum that river will be made available for steam navigation, and thus ensure easy communication with the railway. A private company has been established to build steamers to work on this river, so there is every probability that by the time the heavier stores are required for the railway the Government will be able to get them up at a moderate cost. The railway will strike the river about 140 miles from the sea, and it is estimated that the necessary work to render the whole length navigable can be done quickly and at moderate cost. The work has been put in hand. NAPIER TO WOODVILLB AND PALMER? STOW. During the last financial year a further length of nearly 12 miles was opened to Tahoraite, being 81 miles from Napier. A contract has been let for 13£ miles further, coming within 19£ miles of Woodville and it is proposed to let another contract shortly to embrace the necessary works to complete the line to Woodville and the station works there, A very careful survey has been made for the line through the Manawatu Gorge, and the Engineer-in-Ohief has been able to locate it in such a manner as to have no steep grades or very sharp curves. The contract plans for the length are in a forward state, and as sd«n as they are ready it is proposed to call for tenders for the work. Those who are conversant with the nature of the banks of the Manawatu River through the Gorge will understand that it is of the utmost importance to bestow the greatest possible care in the location pf the railway, -as the slightest variation one way or the other in such a position means very large loss or gain in the cost of construction, ana honourable members will, I hope, agree with me that to ensure a gain it was best to wait a month or two and have this work thoroughly done. This at least has been my jmcJeasreurT"- The line between Palmerston is of the tfSsiest description, and the surveja of the length are now in hand. • '-