The Last Rail.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 408, 9 July 1908, Page 3

The Last Rail.

To be laid Next Month. In referring to the above in the Financial Statement, the Premier says:—With regard to this great national work, I am pleased to state that the completion is now well in sight. The last girder of the Makatote viaduct was placed in position on the 4th of June (ultimo), and the rails were since laid over it at the southern end. The gap between the railheads is now under 6 miles. From present appearances it seems likely that the last rail will be laid about the middle of next month. Considerable work, will, however, still remain to be done before the line can be regarded as completed and before a fast express through mai service can be run, but there is every likelihood of hon. members representing Northern electorates being able to travel by rail all the way from Wellington to Auckland without a change of carriages at the conclusion of the recent session, and it is also probable that the regular express train service can easily be started by xst November next. Hon. members will agree with me this is an announcement of a very satisfactory character and that the Minister for Public Works is to be warmly congratulated not only on the fulfilment of his promise but on the accuracy of his forecast mentioned in my last year’s budget.