THE NORTHERN RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1458, 18 October 1878, Page 3

THE NORTHERN RAILWAY.

At the earliest this line will not be open for through traffic before Monday, and will probably be delayed further by the rain on Thursday. Since the flood has subsided an opportunity is given to inspect the damage done. At Irishman’s flat, which is the level country after leaving Chainey’s platform, going north, the flood has made three serious breaches, two of larger extent than any previous breach made there. The sand bank on which the line is raised, seems to have been forced by the great pressure of water on the west side of it, and the scour under the sleepers has made holes at least ten feet in depth. A gang of upwards of fifty men, with ballast train, have been at work here since Tuesday, and there is still employment for them till Friday' night. Reaching Stewart’s gully thehe are one or two smaller breaches to be met with in which the bed of t&e line has been forced up with the current leaving the metals very crooked. These have been temporarily put in order, and a way packed up over the gully Sufficient to carry a train driven slowly over it.' Mr Wilson, contractor for the bridge, is very busy in putting downthq piles. Thirteen are down out of fifty piles to be put in. Although he has a first-clags driving engine at work, the ground into which the piles have to be sent is very hard, and the average time for driving qaqh ope to the required depth is about three hours after it has been placed in position. The total length of each pile is 40ft. Mr Wilson anticipates that this contract wijl be finished within two months ; the principal hindrance arising from delay in obtaining the piles from Australia. Down this gully the river has made a well defined course for part of the distance, at the mouth and at the outlet. That portion of land through which the line is taken remains firm against the erosion of the stream and is now free from water. Passing on towards the South Waimakariri bridge there are two or three gaps, which have been cleverly mended by sleepers packed in so as to answer the purpose of culverts in another fresh. On Thursday fhe pil6-driver to Le pyed at thd latler bridge was placed in fiosition. Three 50ft. piles are to be sent up, and with a steam winch to work the monkey may be placed on the bridge to-day. Every expedition has been shown by the persons in charge of the repairs, and in spite of the fact that the workmen who have been so often at this work of repairs may be somewhat disheartened on seeing their previous work swept away, tim progreso-showndc highly commendable. B'fiouldV another flood set in before the line is' fully strengthened, there need be no hesitation in skying that the whole railway from Chaihey’s to Stewart’s would be a total wreck, ft appear as though a nu f mbe'|’ of qpenjngs are fq be left to allow the hoods to fill qp the east side of the line, and thqs prevent the heavy strain caused by a body of probably 6ft in depth of water e*err cising its pressure op one side of an embankment formed of sand without any protective casing of earth or clay. The river at the bridge hag not entirely* subsided to its ordinary level. On Thursday it was much discolored ; only one or two timbers *' • up Slre.ro remain, fto Q„ yom mcnt relieved of the necessity to blow it up. The public of the North are very sore upon the question of conveyance between fhq trains, and appear tp flunk that the Government ought 10' provide that conveyance or subsidise it, so that passengers would merely pay the regular railway fare.