THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS IN CANTERBURY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1870, 20 February 1880, Page 3

THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS IN CANTERBURY.

VISIT TO THU NOBTHEEN DISXEICX. Mr Oliver left Christchurch by a special train for the North at 10 30 a.m., being accompanied by Mr O. O. Bowen, M.H.R.; Mr W. N. Blair, engineer in charge of the South Island; A. D. Austin, district engineer ; Mr W. Worry, Under Secretary for Railways; Mr Thomas, Public Works Accountant ; Mr F. Back, Manager of Railways : and at Amberley Mr F. Wither, Assistant Engineer, and Mr A. Dunne, Inspector for the extension of the line, joined the party. At Kaiapoi the Minister was mot by the Mayor, Mr Blackwell; Mr Wearing, chairman of the Waimakariri Harbour Board, and other gentlemen, when several local questions were entered into. With reference to the application from the Borough Council for permission to sell the Cemetery reserve, and that the nature of the grant of land in the town might be changed to allow the Council to let the same, Mr Oliver stated that those questions came in the Hon. Mr Rolleston’s department. After some discussion relative to a siding from the railway to Raven Quay, Mr Oliver stated that would be agreed to and put in hand, also the lengthening of the platform and erection of cattle landing stage and pen at the railway station. Mr Wearing, as chairman of the Harbor Board, explained the position of affairs of that Board, and in reply to the same, Mr Oliver said no doubt the claims of the Board appeared fair and reasonable, seeing that there had formerly been good navigation in the river and a trade to the port, which he would take into careful consideration. Mr J. Lowthian Wilson, for the local Farmers’ Club, thanked Mr Oliver for his attention to the question of the cattle landingstage, and stated that the club had urged the importance of cattle traps at the crossing near Sneyd’s Arms Hotel, which the Minister said had been reported on and would also be attended to. An inspection was next made of the damage done to the east end of the town by the river diverted by a groin at the railway bridge, and after some discussion, the Minister of Public Works promised that the Borough Council should be recouped the cost of the embankments destroyed, which they stated were estimated at about £SOO. The question of deepening Stewart’s gully to afford an improved waterway for the Waimakariri was next discussed, it being pointed out that the mouth ought to be cleared of shingle. It was finally agreed to inspect the same, but on returning in the evening at 9.30 it was decided to defer the matter. At Rangiora Mr Blackett, Mayor, was present to meet the special train, and placed before Mr Oliver the necessity for a new post-office and daily letter delivery. This the Minister stated was in the Hon. Mr Hall’s department, but he should name it to him, Mr Blackett then pointed out that as Rangiora was the central stock market of the north a cattle landing stage was urgently wanted at the railway station. This Mr Oliver promised to have attended to. Mr Blackett next urged the importance of a stopping platform at the west side of Rangiora, and the necessity of resuming the running of midday trains on the Oxford railway. Mr Oliver said the first matter would be considered, The trains had been discon-

tinued owing to the small amount of traffic compared with the great cost of working the line.

Reaching Amberley the party proceeded to inspect the extension of sixteen miles of railway to the Waikari. The journey was performed in buggies under a boiling sun. At various points a close scrutiny of the work was made. The contract of Mr McGrath for the line to the Waipara was computed to be finished in about six months. The metals are laid, but not ballasted. At present the heaviest cutting on the line before reaching the Waipara is in hand. This is 46 chains in length and 37 feet deep through a shingly strata. Across the Waipara the truss bridge, 1306 feet, is finished for the metals. The under structure 'of this is of Australian and the upper of New Zealand timber It may bo stated that the ballasting of the line from Ambe'Ly to Waipara is being proceeded with. From Amberley at 100 ft, the lino gradually rises to about 800 ft at the Weka Pass. Here the road is to a groat extent ready for the metals on the completion ot the sections made by the occasional labor employed during the winter. Very good progress has been made, and the engineers seemed to be satisfied with the advance made by Mr Dunn in this direction. Passing the Weka Pass the party came out at the Waikari, where the Minister realised fully the advantages of extending this line to the Hurunui, and should it be possible, this will be put in hand, as the resources of the colony will permit. After a short stay for inspection here, the party returned to Amberley, and thence to town, reaching it about 10 p.m.