AUCKLAND TO KAIPARA RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5416, 6 August 1878, Page 3

AUCKLAND TO KAIPARA RAILWAY.

Tho following report on tho alternative lines was laid on tha table, by permission of the House, by the Hon. Mr. Macandrew, July 30, 1878 : - ...

Commissioner of Bailways for the North and Middle Islands to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works.

New Zealand Railways, Bailway Station, Auckland, Jana 28.

In compliance with your verbal request, we have the honor to report upon this matter. Wo have carefully examined the plans and longitudinal section of the two lines, and in other respects made ourselves perfectly acquainted with the respective merits. In looking at these ’schemes from two important points, viz., economical construction and economical and efficient working, we feel bound to give our decision in favor of the coast line. We further desire to : state that; our reasons are identical with those already urged and placed cm record by the Public Works Department, which are briefly these, viz.: — Levels.—lnland line summit, 290'5ft.; coast line summit, 165‘0ft. Difference in favor of coast line, 125'5ft. Gradients.—The steepest grade in tha inland line is lin 35; coast line is lin 50; the curves on tha latter being also mnch easier. Bridges.—The length of bridging on the inland line is 1138 lin; feet; coast lines, 1230 lin. feet.

Tunnel-—The length of tunnelling on the inland line is 132yds.; coast line, nil.

Distance.—The coast line is one mile and a half shorter than the inland one. These differences in favor of tha coast line will'save £15,000 in construction, and it is quite obvious that'the working will bo much more economical by reason of flatter grades, easier curves, and the total absence of tunnel-

ing. - The grade of 1 in 35 is over one mile in length, with long carves of only six chains radius on it, which would render the working most difficult and,,expensive as a permanent charge; and in addition to this, all through passenger and goods traffic wouldßbe chargeable with the extra and unnecessary distance by the inland rente. We deem these reasons sufficient to outweigh all local arguments advanced in favor of the inland route ; and having in view the great importance of securing the easiest practicable grades on the trunk linos, we think it .would be mnch more the purpose to serve the Waitakeri district by a branch line than to tax the whole of the passenger and goods traffic between Auckland and the Northern district for-all time.—We have, &e., Wm. Conyers,

Commissioner’of Bailways, Mid. Island. J. Lawson, Commissioner of Railways, N. Island.