RAILWAY WORKS.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 355, 11 September 1878, Page 2

RAILWAY WORKS.

[From Public Works Statement.] Tue Engineer in In's Annual Report on Railways (North Island), to 30th June, mentions, under the heading WaitaraPatea, that 19 miles 73 chains are open for traffic, 33 miles as the total length authorized, liabilities on 30th June amounted to £13,967 10s 8d ; total expended, £137,053 3s lOd. The- Patea-Manawatu line, between Foxton and Wanganui, was opened for traffic on 20th May, a total distance of 86 miles 9 chains, the total length authorized being 107 miles 8 chains, which latter includes the Brunswick and Kai Iwi contract, 9 miles 34 chains, and the Waitotara contract, 12 miles 71 chains. Tenders were shortly to be called for plate laying, and other uncompleted work to Kai Iwi. The Waitotara contract included formation and

plate-laying - , and is to be finished on 6th December.

Under the heading surveys, is the following—The field-work for the land plans of the Kai Iwi and Waitotara sections is completed, and the plans are now in course of preparation. A trial line of the extension to Waverley (Wairoa), was begun on Ist June. The following has reference to the Waitara-Patea Railway:— Waitara-New Plymouth. —On this line the truss bridges have been painted, and about 100 chain of fencing erected. About 2£ miles of the line are yet unfencecl. Waiongona Section. —This leaves the above line at Sentry-Hill Station, and is 8 miles GO chains in length. The platelaying and ballasting have been completed during the year, aiuUhe section was opened for traffic on the 30th November last to Inglewood. Ngatoro Section (8 miles GO chains to 13 miles 40 chains). —The formation _on tins section was completed on the 27th May. The masonry- and timber culverts have also been completed by contract; and rails, with fittings and sleepers, are_ on the ground, ready- for plate-laying, which will now bo proceeded will). Waipuku Section (13 miles 40 chains to IS miles GO chains).—On this the bush has been felled 3 chains wide, and the central chain cleared or timber up to 154- miles. Formation work also is complete up to 14 miles 40 chains. The masonry and timber culverts have been let by contract, as have also the larger bridges. The works on the lastnamed sections have mostly been done on the potty-contract system, affording employment to about eighty men living in the vicinity of the line. Stratford Section (18 miles 60 chains to 22 miles 20 chains, terminating at the first crossing of the Patea River). —The bush has been felled as far as the river, and the centre cleared to 204 miles also by petty contracts. Surveys.—These arc now complete up to 13 miles 40 chains. Statement showing expenditure and liabilities out of vote 102 Immigration and Public Works Loan, menlions ; Mountain Road, Taranaki, appropriation £3,000; expended, £1,893 ls7d; liabilities, £1,174 17s 6d. Total expenditure and liabilities, £3,0G7 19s. Alain Road, Stoney River to Waitotara. Appropriation, £3,000. None of which has been spent. Opening of Mountain Road to Patea for coach traffic. Appropriation, £4,000; expenditure, £1,805 13s 10d ; liabilities, £2,191 Os 2d. Total liabilities and expen- | diture. £4,000.