NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 49, 30 December 1871, Page 13

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.

We are glad to be able to state that 'effect has already been given to the provisionary contract entered into with Messrs Brogden & Sons with regard to certain of the railways included in the schedule. We mentioned a few days ago that the working survey of the Picton •and Blenheim Railway was in such a forward state as to enable a contract for , its construction to be concluded in a short time, and we may now state that satisfactory arrangements have been made for the immediate commencement of this line. Some modifications of the original design have had to be made in order to bring the cost within or near the limit fixed by the Assembly, and by the substitution of lighter rails and rolling stock —which will in no way detract from the efficiency of the line-—a considerable saving has been effected on the first estimate. Still even with this alteration the line is estimated to cost about £IO,OOO over the authorised price, but arrangements have been made with the Provincial Government, under which the extra cost is to be defrayed by land contributions on thepartof the Provincial Government. It is expected that the construction of this line will be commenced as soon as the contractor can secure the necessary labor. Next in order comes the first instalment of tlie Wellington and Masterton ..Railway. Messrs Brogden commence the working survey of this line immediately, and will as soon after as possible proceed with the work of construction. In the Auckland province the railway from Auckland to Mercer will first engage attention, and last night Mr Brogden, his engineer Mr Henderson, and the Colonial Engineer, Mr Caituthers, a^ntj. staff :i proceeded!, to

Auckland by the Luna for the purpose of pushing on the working survey and placing,everything in train for the commencement of the line. In the Middle Island the surveys of the Invercargill to Mataura, and Moeraki to Waitaki lines are in a forward state—in fact, almost ready to enable a contract to be concluded. Both these lines will be gone on with without any unnecessary delay. Instructions have also been given for making the complete working survey of the coal railway from Greymouth to the Brunner coal mine. Tt will be seen that no time is being lost in giving effect to the public works policy. Some delay has been necessitated by the negotiations with Messrs Brogden, but as matters are now generally arranged on a satisfactory basis we may expect in a few weeks to see the various railways taken in hand as soon as they are ready for construction.