The Railway Contract.

Patea Mail, 16 February 1882, Page 3

The Railway Contract.

Being unable to see plans and specifications of the Waveriey-to-Patea railway contract, without travelling 40 miles to Wanganui or 20 miles to Hawera, the readers of the Mail have not been informed of the conditions of the proposed work. A Patea resident who made a pilgrimage to see the plans has furnished some particulars, for which we feel obliged. The length of miles has to be completed within nine months from date of contract, the penalty being £25 per week for excess of time. Tenders close March 10th, and if the acceptance dates from the loth, the time for completion will be December 15th. In the public interest, this early completion is important, as it will catch the wool season and ensure a considerable revenue from that source to start with. Some tenderers would prefer a longer time. The public advantages of early completion are too strong in this case to warrant extension of time merely for the convenience of contractors. Had there been no such urgency, we should have concurred with the other argument that a longer time enables smaller contractors to tender on equal terms with large ones. The work at the Waverley end is lightest, and 4 miles 8 chains of line are to be completed for opening within four months from acceptance. This will extend the South railway to a point near Whcnuaknra bridge, and the traffic will be worked up to that point within five months from this date. The Premier made a a promise to that effect, and the railway construction department ought to fulfil it. The heaviest work is near the Patea end. A bridge over Whenuakura river consists of two main spans of 60 feet and nine side spans of 20 feet. The mud flat between Patea Station and the bluff, is not to be filled in across, but bridged over with thirteen spans of 20 feet, also one bridge of four spans 20 feet each. An over-bridge at a public road occurs on the line.

Cuttings from 35 to 40 chains long, averaging 20 feet deep, will be difficult to work in places, the base being so narrow as to admit of only one truck at a time. The work includes 17 miles of fencing, post and wire ; and no separate property is to be opened for work without first fencing the line.