THE NORTH AUCKLAND MAIN TRUNK

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 July 1914, Page 4

THE NORTH AUCKLAND MAIN TRUNK

Mr G. Tibuits, of Paparoa, who lias but recently returned from a trip along tlie line, and takes a great interest (as we all do) in the progress of the North, writes as follows : I should like the public to know what progress has been made during the past twelve months on the North Auckland Trunk line extension works. The bridge over the Otamatea at Young's Point is completed, and the builders have handed it over to the Public Works Department. It is a fine structure, 15 chains long. Platelaying is now beingcarried on on the north side of the bridge, and under favourable circumstances should reaoh the mouth of the little tunnel by the end of August, two miles from Young's Point. This tunnel was completed before the time of my visit last year. When the permanent way reaches Bickerstaffe station, which is to be a little further on. it will reduce the coach journey from Paparoa ten miles. The big tunnel, 24 chains long, on the south end, is in ll chains, and at the north end 5 chains, leaving 8 chains to be done. This should be completed before the end of the year. Very few men are at work between the little tunnel and Maungaturoto station site. They are fixing up slips and embankments, which always occur on new formations. From Maungaturoto to Haurau, a further distance of two miles, the formation work is comparatively easy. This is well on the way with the exception of a bridge over Griffen's Creek. At Haurau there is a Ion"- filling, the longest, it is said?that has yet been encountered. Over 150 men, I am told, are camped along the advance works from Griffen's Creek to Wairere. We could not help remarking how wonderfully well Maungaturoto was looking. Most of the farms were surface sown some forty years ago. The grass is better to-day than ever. The land round Maungaturoto, some thousands of acres, is closely settled and eminently adapted for wheit and beans, being mostly of limestone formation. When/ the raiLhead reaches Haurau traffic on the line will increase by leaps and bounds.