SOUTH ISLAND TRUNK

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1930, Page 2

SOUTH ISLAND TRUNK

PROGRESS OF WORK

OVER FIVE HUNDRED MEN EMPLOYED.

WELLINGTON, July 29. It is estimated that the charges against the South Island Alain Trunk line have already reached £200,000, and steady progress is being made with the work.

A total of 500 man are engaged on the construction of the line—3oo on the northern and 260 on the southern section. There are a huge number of cuttings to be opened up in the southern portion and the men are at present engaged in this work between the Conway River and Parnassus. Survey work is being done near Uaro at the month of the Conway. A stretch of four and a half miles of track has been laid on the northern end. Past this length of railway formation work is well in hand for abo'ut another eight miles. The main obstacle encountered so far is what is known to the construction party as the “Blue Slip,” an ancient slip about 40 chains long (that is half a mile in extent). Steam shovels and locomotives are now attacking this stretch of country and when the bnlnnce of the formation work is completed here, a great deal of the remaining work for some distance will be through sandy country which is now being stabilised by planting, Generally speaking, there is no serious obstacle except this slip until the Clarence River is reached, twenty miles\front Whnranui, Sufficient permanent way is now on the ground to complete the rail to the Clarence Bridge; The Clarence Bridge ifoundations are being laid and the survey has been completed for eight miles beyond this point and a trial survey lias been pushed on for eight miles farther.