CANTERBURY RAILWAY WORKS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 22, 24 June 1871, Page 4

CANTERBURY RAILWAY WORKS

[Lyttelton Times.] The works in connection with the various new lines of railway in the pro vince are progressing in a satisfactory manner. The formation, fencing, and earthworks on the Northern line are entirely completed to within a very short distance of the river Styx, and both formation and fencing between that point and the south bank of the Waimakariri are well advanced. This position is undoubtedly the heaviest, in respect of formation, met with throughout the whole line, but the difficulties occasioned by the great length of sandhills are being successfully overcome. All the hillocks for some distance back on each side of the line have been levelled to flat slopes and covered with clay so as to prevent the sand being blown about and getting on to the line of rail. Between the south and north branches of the Waimakariri no work has yet been done, but the contract for the formation has just been signed, and operations will be commenced forthwith. In connection with these small contracts, we may state that the Provincial Engineer is highly satisfied with the manner in which they have been carried out in every instance. Two of the bridges over the Avon have been completed, and the third one, over the north branch of the river, is well advanced. Several of the small timber bridges on the line have been constructed, and others are now in hand, whilst all the culverts between Addington and the Styx have been completed. The Styx bridge has been commenced, as also that over the south branch of the Waimakariri, and both are now being actively pushed forward. The surveys have been finished one and a half mile beyond the north branch of the Waimakariri, and the remainder of the line is to be put in hand at once. On the south line, we learn that the surveys for the extension from the Selwyn to the Rakaia will be commenced on Monday, and that the works will be put in hand as soon as other matters are fully prepared. A survey has also been made of a line from the Rolleston station, on the Great South line, to the Malvern Hills, but a second route is to be survej'ed before any decision is arrived at. The firstnamed, we understand, passes from Rolleston along the tramway reserve, but a petition against it is being prepared by residents on the West Coast Road and the Hawkins, who think the railway ought to pass more in their direction. The contractor for the Selwyn bridge, on the Rolleston and Southbridge tramway line, is now making preparations for commemcing work, and a very short time will see his men actively engaged.