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

"WEIXINOTOK-'WOOlivittß. The -works on the extension of this line from Masterton to Maunceville, 18 miles, which have been consider- - ably retarded by floods and bad weather, are now approaching completion, v and a portion of this section, reaching from Masterton to Opaki, is expected to be ready for traffic about Decembar next. The Wellington passenger station has been removed to a more convenient site, and provision made for the large increase in traffic which ia expected to ensue when the Welling* ton-Manawatu railway is completed. TOXTON-NEW PLYMOTJTH. The last link in this railway was finished in March last, thus completing through communication over a distance of 190 miles from Foxton to Waitara, and during the present year , a contract has been entered into for the construction of a branch railway from New

Plymouth to the breakwater. This is expected to be completed about November next. EAST AND "WEST COAST AND NELSON RAILWAY.

I have now to deal with the construction of a railway that has hitherto led to considerable discussion in town. I allude to the East and West Coast (Middle Island), and Nelson railways. I need hardly point out that they were a substantial part of the original scheme of railways in 1870, for it was then contemplated that thei*e should be a main trunk line in both islands. The Government are opinion that the lines are of immense importance. They will tend to increase the mining population and to develop a large amount of mineral traffic and commerce generally. There are also considerable tracts of land which will be profitably occupied by settlers. The North Island will also be benefited because there will be direct communication, beginning at Nelson, through the South Island. A sum of £150,000 has been placed on the Estimates for this purpose. The Government are of opinion that by the proposal they axe placing the matter in a position to which no part of the colony can reasonably object. CBEOSOTED SLEEPEBS.

After several attempts, extending over some years, a contract has recently been let for a supply of 150,000 creosoted railway sleepers, with, the View of utilising the white pine, rimu, and other timbers which, without some sort of preserving process, are not fitted for such a purpose. The rate per sleeper is 4s, and should the contractor succeed in producing them at the price, of which there 6eenis to be little doubt, a great advantage to the colony will have been gained. Once a creosoting apparatus on the scale required by the terms of the contract is obtained, it will be possible to use white pine, not only for all the bridge work on the railway but also for harbour works and for the works of local bodies throughout the colony, thus doing away with the necessity of importing so large au amount of timber from abroad as is now done, as well as making all our timber works last much longer.