CUR RAILWAY

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 117, 28 May 1901, Page 3

CUR RAILWAY

THE FIRST ENGINE. ._ Skvuual delays have occurred since the engine which is to act as ballast engine for the railway works was landed. That, together with the trucks, was landed in pieces, and the fitter who came to put it together (Mr Bishop), had the misfortune to be seized with rheumatic fever. Under ditlicultios he kept at his work, and with the assistance of Mr Sinclair, at last had the engine' fitted together, and it was decided that yesterday morning she should . have her trial trip over the lino to see that all her gear was in order. The trial was a purely informal affair, but naturally His Worship the Mayor 'was so pleased after years of struggle for the railway, to see at last what must be-mvidence to the most doubtful of people, that he expressed a desire to accompany the engine on its first journey over the find, permission for which was only too readily granted. A truck was quickly improvised as a carriage, and shortly before 10 o’clock the engine started on her first trip, and the first engine on thoGisborne-Auckland lino passed over Grey'street about 10 o’clock. The engine was in charge of Mr Archie Sinclair, Mr Arthur Hall being fireman. Mr Bishop, who looks very unwell, accompanied the party. Mr Jeff, the engineer-iu-chargc, Mr Marshall, permanent way manager, and Mr J. Nutting, of the office • staff, went along to see that everything was in order, and another truck containing workmen and their tools was shunted at one of the sidings. The progress to Parimanihi, to where the lino is laid, was necessarily slow, as all the bridge approaches were carefully tested, and all the crossings had to be cleaned of grit. Mr Marshall tookno risks, but made sure that everything was in order beforo venturing. The journey of eight miles .and a half consequently took about an hour and a half, but coming back, with several stoppages, it took only half an hourj At !)inun's crossing Mrs David Diuan met the train, and' kindly invited the party to have some refreshment, hut as the train was not stopping sufficiently long the party had reluctantly to decline. Tlfc railway passes through some splendid land, oven the once despised Waikanae sand hills are now clad with good grass; but it is when one passes through Makaraka and verges on to Makauri .that one sees really good land, evidenced by crops of maize and pumpkins that would not bo surpassed in the North Island. One has to travel over the line to understand some of the difficulties those in charge had to face, over apparently easy country. _ The bridge at Tombleson’s, for instance, is SOft long, .with four 20ft spans : the approaches were rather difficult to deal with, and thenit will be remembered that there was a long and weary wait for the bridge timber ; and when the difficulties connected with the transport and loading of materials is remembered, it is evidence that very fair progress has been made, and that those in charge deserve every credit for the way they have managed with the material at their disposal. Even now, they have to wait for the sleepers, which are on the way, in order to complete the line as far as Ormond. As soon as those come to hand, the line will be continued' to the gravel-pits, and ballasting will be started in real earnest.