PATUMAHOE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 243, 19 January 1917, Page 3

PATUMAHOE

After an interval of a fortnight—during the Christmas holidays - ballasting has recommenced on the Pae-rata-Patumahoe section of the Waiuku railway. It is confidently ex-i pected that within four or five weeks the work will be completed on that section. Different parties who have made enquiries as to the haulage of goods to Patumahoe on that portion of the line nearing completion have been informed that as soon as the necessary work is finished the Department will probably convey goods coming forward, or take return loads. When the Kailway Department takes the line over from the Public Works Department, a goods and passenger time-table will probably be arranged for. This, it is believed, will be of considerable benefit to the users as the Public Works Department make an extra charge for goods they handle. So far the line has stood the test well with only one ballasting and it is I now thoroughly consolidated. Owing to the suitability of the country through which the line passes it has proved adaptable for the formation of a permanent track This advantage will obviate the costly upkeep which lines in other districts cause owing to varying grades. Large and massive concrete culverts which have been put in should prove sufficient to carry all water even at flood times and will be a lasting monument to the Engineer responsible and to Mr Massey (the member for Franklin) through whose advocacy and support the line is duo. No new 6 has yet eked out as to the successful tenderer for the station at Patumahoe. A correspondent writes : It is to be hoped that the Public Works Department are not going to hang up the further construction of the new railway line from Patumahoe to Waiuku. I learu that rails and sleepers, which were stacked at Paerata sufficient to construct the line through to Waiuku. are now being moved to other parts of the Auckland district. This seems a very unbusinesslike procedure. Surely thero can bo no good reason for such action if the Department intend tc continue the work to Waiuku. The removal of such material has created much anxiety locally as it is considered that any unnecessary delay it the pushing on of the line to Waiuki is a direct breach of faith and con trary to all promises made by th( Prime Minister and by other mem hers of tho Cabinet. Tho wai should not bo u.ade any excuse foi such action, as it is a woll-knowi fact that never has money beer more plentiful than at tho prcsen time."

Local farmers all report a good dairy season. Some excellent crops of liay and also of oats and potatoes and Italian rye have been secured. Mr W. Fin lay, of Cowgate, has the best crop of oats to be seen round the district, while Mr E. C. Cuff's ctop (50 acres) of Italian rye is up to the usual standard grown in the district. It is reported (bearing in mind the high price ruling for seed this season) that this rye will return £lO per acre