THE ROTORUA RAILWAY.

Patea Mail, 14 April 1882, Page 3

THE ROTORUA RAILWAY.

The Waikato Times says the preliminary survey of the proposed Rotorua railway is proceeding satisfactorily. Mr Stewart, the company’s Engineer, has now three parties at work, Mr Smithies being camped in the Piako, about seven miles from the starting point, Captain Beere near Oxford, and Mr Harding close to the bush. A considerable amount of time has been spent in exploring a route over the elevated country between Tapapa and Ohiriemutu. On the highest part of the plateau the line will be 2000. feet above sea level, and 1900 feet above Rotorua Lake. At this point occur the only real engineering difficulties along, the route, but a thorough examination of. the country has resulted in securing a much easier grade than it was at fix-st believed possible to get, so far as this side of the range is concerned. The' natives are anxious that the railway should follow the direction of the road, but that is impracticable: However, after allowing for many sinuosities, it is thought that the line will be some miles shorter than originally shown, ami a large saving will thereby be effected. .With reference to the Cambridge 'railway, the same paper reports receipt of a reply from the Public Works Office to a petition sent by the residents in the Hautapu district praying for a deviation, that “ Government have caused careful inquiries to bo made, and decided that the line of railway as originally laid out arid surveyed should be adhered to.”