THE WAITAHA RAILWAY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1922, Page 2

THE WAITAHA RAILWAY

WORK NIiAIUNG COMPLETION

Yesterday forenoon a conference was held at the County Chambers between members of the Westland County Council and a. representative of Messrs Stuart and Chapman Ltd. relative to the use of the Ross-Waitaha sawmill tramway for the transit of the southern settlers’ goods. Messrs Ward, Jeffries and Chinn, represented the local body • and Mr G. H. Chapman the sawmilling firm constructing the line. Mr Chapman reported that the formation for the tramway line to the stock yard at Waitaha Junction was now completed, the line following the Bold Head road to the point referred to. Ultimately the line is to cross the Waitaha river, and continue south into the belt of timber beyond. This work ie now being organised. On the section to Waitaha Junction, the rails are laid to within about 2(J chains of the proposed station site. The ballasting has been about half-done, hut there still reai mile and a half to do, and this work is being pushed on. A good deal of the road formation had to be reformed and filled up. The rails could be lrtid in about a fortnight, and it is estimated that inside of four months the ballasting will ibe completed and the line be ready for traffic. By that time also itj is expected that the KakapotahT bridge which the County Council is erecting will be open for traffic. This bridge will give access to the tramway from the main road, and will provide the main service to Waitaha Junction to be utilised for general transport. After discussing various details it was resolved that the local body apply for the right to have stock and goods carried over the line in the Railway Department’s trucks. The haulage to be done by Stuart and Chapman’s bush engine at a cost not exceeding railway rates. This concession will be for the ibenefit of the public and not the firm, an|d if arranged will be ja great boon to the south settlers sending forward fat stock for the Westland or Canterbury markets. Messrs Stuart and Chapman Ltd. will construct the necessary sidings at' a cost estimated at £3OO for the public use, the local bcjdy is to provide loading banks and sheds, as required. It was resolved to apply for a piece of available Crown Lands for the purpose, and also for a reservation for a gravel site along the Bold Head road for the subsequent metalling of the road. The application for a license to use f-h©