EAST COAST RAILWAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10617, 16 June 1920, Page 7

EAST COAST RAILWAY

PROGRESS OP THE WORK,

LINE NOW NEARING WHAKATANE,

Details of the progress made with railway construction in the Bay of Plenty were gathered in Opotiki. Under favourable oon litions, as far as labour and material are concerned, it is anticipated that the railway will be extended practically to AVhakatane about the end of tho year. The lino has been finished to Alatata for some time, and the forma tion of the embankment is now being extended across the Rangitnikj swamp. A steam shovel is used for excavating, and the rails have’ _ now been pushed, on • a further seven miles to Rangitaiki. It is understood that a quantity of up-to-date construction plant has been ordered to facilitate the work. Maori labour is being employed (apart from Europeans), and is proving satisfactory, there being about seventy, natives engaged on the work, while it is understood that others nro being taken on shortly. The Maoris are working on the co-operative principle, and are stated to be doing good work. The first obstacle of any magnitude will bo the construction of a tunnel about three-qnarers of a mile in length in the Waimana Gorge, between Taneatua and Opotiki. Mr Holmes, son of the engineer-in-chief, is in charge. The Public Works Department's passenger service from tbe Mount, at Tanranga, is being carried on under the managemorit of Air H. J- Day, formerly stationmastor at Gisborne. With tbe anticipated extension of the train service towards Whakatano about Christmas next arrangements will then permit ot a twenty-four hours' overland service via Tnuranga being inaugurated from Gisborne to Auckland.