HOKITIKA AND CHRISTCHURCH RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 72, 24 August 1874, Page 3

HOKITIKA AND CHRISTCHURCH RAILWAY.

The following is Mr Carruther's report on the proposed line of railway from Hokitika to Ohristohurch via Malvern :

" The line leaving Hokitika would get into the valley of the Arahura either near the Kaukaka or by the Kokatahi to the south of Lake Kanieri, either line being tolerably favorable. The first section is twenty miles long. Then follows a length along the Arahura, nine miles long, of rough country, to the junction with the Arahura of Keig's Creek, at the twenty-ninth mite. The height of the junction of Keig's Crock, is 1765 feet above sea level, and from this point to the summit Mr Browning has taken barometric levels. The next length of four miles comes to Griffith's Creek at the thirty-third mile, the height of which is 2123 feet above sea level, showing an average gradient for this section of 1 in 50. The country is not unfavourable. From Griffith's Creek to the entrance to the tunnel at 30th mile, a distance of 3 miles, the country rises at a slope of about 1 in 15, and it would be necessary to make the railway follow the slope of the country, as the hill sides arc too rough to allow a uniform gradient to be adopted. A centre rail would therefore be required for the three miles. Following in this way the slope of the country, it will not be expensive to make a railway over this section, but snow sheds will be required in parts. Then comes the tunnel, 3-100 yards long (or 1 mile 70 chains) —for the greater part through clay slate. The mouth of the tunnel is 3300, and the pass '1707 feet above sea level. From the end of the tunnel to the Sebastopol Bluff, at the 45th mile, a distance of 7 miles, the railway would have to follow the general slope of the valley, which is about 1 in 20 for the first mile, and 1 in 40 for the rest of the way. The height of the Wilberforce is 2335 feet above sea level. A further distance of 30 miles —making in all 81 miles from Hokitika —brings us to the end of the Malvern Coal Bail way. The following figures will give an approximate idea of the co.st of the line. It is of course little more than a guess, founded on Mr Browning's description of the country. and it is only intended to enable you to decide whether it is desirable to have further surveys made or not.

From Ilokitika lo T\vcn<y-Milo ... 100,000 .. Twenty-Mile to Griffith's Creek 1)2,000 ~ Griffith's Creek to Sobastopol muff :>k;.ooo .. Nchi'Uopol Bluff to White (Jliff 282.000 £720,000 Contingencies 12J percent ... 1)0,000 £slo,ooo A map is attached to the above report, showiDg the direction of line. Mr .Browning's report, dated Ilokitika on 31st March last, relates his having left Hokitika. according to instructions, on the Bth December last, with a party of three men. and proceeded up the river Styx. On examination of (his valley, he found that the formation of the couutry, consisting of drift terraces, was in every part of such a loose nature as to render constructive works impracticable, unless fit an almost fabulous cost, and in consequence he proceeded to the valley of ihe A rah ura river, leading direct/y up to the L'ass. He reached the I'asson the 81 hof January, the,work bciiif; greatly delayed by J.ain, and consequent inches.