EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4679, 26 March 1924, Page 2

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

TENDERS FDR THREE SECTIONS. HALF A MILLION INVOLVED. WELLINGTON, March 25. Last year the Minister of Public Wc>ks decided, as an experiment, to cal) tenders for three sections of the E-ist Coast railway totalling IS miles IS chains. It was stipulated - that the wmk should be completed within three years from March, 1924. Tenders lb’ve now closed, and competition has been keen.

The Minister is satisfied with the way the matter has developed. It :>s understood that big English and Australian firms, as well as New Zealand contractors, have submitted prices. Tnc Minister states that the Government would not consider letting th-' contract unless the best tender received was entirely satisfactoiy both as to price and guarantee of performance of contract.

Five tenders have been received by the Government for construction of that portion of the East Coast railway bc’wecn Katikati and Te Puna, a distance of IS miles. Tenders were invited in Great Britain, ’lie United States. and British Dominions. The contract, which must be completed within three years, provides for earthworks, bridges, station buildings, overbridges, subways, ballasting, and plate-laying. The route of the railway crosses several rivers, eleven of which arc some size and will require substantial bridges. The total cm-t of construction will be in the vicinity of £500,000.