MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1841, 23 August 1906, Page 4

MAIN TRUNK LINE.

DOUBLE SHIFT AT WORK

«*~t Wellington, Tuesday.

The first of the Auckland members to return, Mr Hugh Poland, member for Ohinemuri, arrived in Wellington on Saturday, having traversed the route of tho Main Trunk lino. Do found overy indication of activity. Thoro were 2500 men employed altogether on the works, but a gap of sixty milos will have to be completed beforo the Aucklanders can expoditiously reach the Capital without a combination of sea and land travels, quite disconcerting unloss the conditions are absolutely favorable.. The Public Works Department is doing its best to push on construction, double shifts being worked in the heavy cutting at Waiouru. It is also intended to start double shifts at Ohakune, where thoro is a heavy iu‘ting and lilling. Thoy are making fairly good hoadway, said Mr Poland to a Star reporter, but the country is diiiicult, including the celebrated spiral line which the railway doubles back upon itsolf in ordor to gain sullicient altitude to cross a high ridge. They will have rails laid to Raurimu on the northern oud by Decombor first, while on tho southern end they will soon havo tho rails at Turangaroro. With thoso extensions complete, the gap between the raillu ads will be 52 milop. Mr Polaud added that thero was a good deal of formation well advanced to the Malcatote Waduct, a contract for which has been lot to Messrs Anderson and Co. Ho thought this bit of bridge building would certainly take the whole two years stipulated as contract time. Two miles beyond Makatoto on the northern end another viaduct will have to be constructed. Work is already proceeding on the spiral at Raurimu, and most of tho English navvhs have been placed there. The Government provided the newcomers with little wooden cottages, an improvement upon tents in that cold climate, and they were also being supplied with blankets at cost price.. “■ How are the English navvies shaping ? ” asked the interviewer. “ They seem a good stamp,” replied Mr Polaud, “but some are poor workmen, especially in the bush. Ou construction work they do fairly well, as the Government is putting experienced men with them.’’ Asked about the condition of tho roads, Mr Poland expressed agreement with the sUtemmt of the Hon. HallJones that tho Pipiriki roads would improve when the Public Works Department was able to obtain supplies from Taihape, but at present these roads were in a very bad stato. The road from Makatote to Waiouru, on the southern end, was also badly cut up, and lig did not believe that any coach connection could be provided for northerners who wished to take an overland route in visiting Christchurch Exhibition for tho opening. No doubt, he said, later in the summer, perhaps during January, the road would improve sufficiently to enable this promise of the Minister for Public Works to be carried out. Mr Poland states that a proper railway carriage between Taumarunui and Oio is necessary, the covered in truck now provided for this journey of 20 miles being uncomfortable and highly dangerous for children who travel by it to school. A cottage hospital at Raurimu is also an urgent,necessity, for quite 1200 people live in the neighborhood, and only storekeepers have better sheltor than tents. A doctor is on the spot, but more elfoctive shelter than tents for tho sick is a necossity.—Star correspondent.