RAKAIA AND ASHBURTON FORKS RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1875, 26 February 1880, Page 3

RAKAIA AND ASHBURTON FORKS RAILWAY.

The line to Methven was inspected on Tuesday by Mr F. Back, Government Traffic Manager, who was accompanied by Mr Dickenson of the Locomotive Department, also by Mr G. Hart, Chairman of Directors, Mr John Anderson, junr., one of the contractors, Mr Sydney Dick, Chief Postmaster, MrMcKerrow, Surveyor-General, Messrs John Mann, B. M'Kerrow, W. Hartnell, O. H. M'Lean. Shortly after leaving Rakaia, and near to Hatfield station, two lads, who it was ascertained were cooking for Mr Dearden were seen to lay two pieces of firewood across the rails and run behind the hedge. The train was immediately stopped and Mr Back, accompanied by Mr Dickenson, ran to the whare the boys had hidden themselves and turned them out. Constable Bowse, who happened to be in the train, at once apprehended them and took them to Rakaia, as well as the pieces of wood, which were quite large enough to have thrown the train off the line, and small enough to pass under the cow-catcher. Mr Back expressed himself pleased with the construction of the line, but there are several litttle matters yet to be attended to before it will be quite fit for traffic. There is no goods shed on the line. This accommodation will be indispensable, as there will be over three hundred thousand bushels of grain to be carried this season. The necessary worls are to be gone on with at once, and it is the intention to ooen the line for traffic on Thursday. It is intended that the first train shall leave Methven at 5.30 a.m., so as to arrive at Rakaia in time to catch the 7 a.m. train for Christchurch. Mr Sydney Dick has made arrangements for opening a post-office at Methven at once, and has appointed Mr Charles Hibbs of Morgan and Hibbs as postmaster.