District Notes

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 10, 9 June 1894, Page 7

District Notes

THE SEAWARD BUSH RAILWAY. RAILS LAID NEARLY 19 MILES. FROM INVERCARGILL. ANOTHER SECTION TO BE OPENED THIS YEAR. ABOUT FIVE MILES MORE COMPLETE THE LINE. As the completion of this line is of great importance to Invercargill, a short sketch of the progress so far made will no doubt interest our readers. Accompanying Mr McNab upon his visit in that direction to confer with the electors, a member of our staff left by the outward train last. Saturday morning. The present terminus (Mokotua) is reached after a run of a little over twelve miles, principally through the hush. This station is situated a few chains from the bush, which forms a kind of ba}% making it a pleasant *ite for picnicking. As yet the iron horse has not penetrated into these parts beyond Mokotua. The rails, since January last have, however, been laid for a distance of about six and a-half miles further on, and it is expected that in less than a month A. LIGHT ENGINE WILL TRAVERSE THE WHOLE DISTANCE to the Gorge—over 18 miles from town. Before that the gravel pit will he reached by the platelayers and ballasting will be commenced from the other end. The supply of gravel is of excellent quality, almost unlimited, and easy of access. Continuing from klokotua, the line runs over comparatively level ground and reaches, at a distance of two and three-quarter miles, Oteramika station. This stopping-place appears to be well chosen, and there will probably be a considerable amount of traffic from it, as it commands the Oteramika district and the settlement along the lower portion of the Mataura in the direction of Seaward Downs. The very long siding that Las been put down is viewed with favour by the residents. Proceeding further, the effect upon the adjoining sections of the drainage at the sides of the line is quite noticeable. As an example of the "way in which the class of land there submits itself to drainage it may be mentioned that upon the original plan a bridge was provided for about a mile beyond Oteramika station to cross a heavy swamp. Mr McMahon, the overseer of the ce-operative works, recommended a system of drainage, which, when carried out, very soon made the swamp disappear, and the formation is continued right across, with a small culvert running through to carry off the surface water. The land lying close to the line is said to be greatly improved since the formation has been completed, by the ditching and removal of soil for making up the levels. A large and valuable area of bush land reserved for climatic purposes, is divided by the line in its courses About half way through a long siding has been made evidently with a view to SAWMILLING REQUIREMENTS. This is the land for the opening Tip for selection of which a petition was forwarded to Parliament lastyear by the settlers. With dense bush on either side, the line continues for a considerable distance, crossing a small bridge which connects two very high embankments. Presently a pretty picture appears against the distant opening at theotherside of thebush. Along incline, about a mile in length, leads the eye on to where the little Station stands out in the open near the gorge. This incline has three gradients, the steepest of which is one in fifty. On emerging from the bush interest is at once awakened by the Variety of incident and scene. On the railway line the engine shed stands in readiness to shelter the ballast

engine, and the station station, situated at the crossing of the Gorge Road, and its appointments are such as give the place quite an air of importance. This station is at present known as the Gorge, but it is hoped that the department will give it a Maori name. One which has been : suggested seems very appropriate, I namely, Kaikatea, the Maori word for white pine, and also the name of Timpany’s sawmill not far from the Gorge. A GRAVITATION WATER SUPPLY is being brought in by a number of men from a spring on Mr James McCallum’s property close by, and will save pumping-power, lb is expected that the line will be completed up to this point by November, during which month another section will probably be opened. It might be possible, perhnps, to make THE OPENING DAY 9TH NOVEMBER. Mr J. McCallum’s new bouse commands a fine view from the terrace, and close by, in a state qf fairly good repair, still stands the old fern-tree cottage bnilt by his father thirty years ago, a fact which suggested the thought that he must have lost himself, and being unable to get back to civilisation stayed there and built his house. The name of his property is Springburn probably suggested by the number of springs upon it —and is part.ly covered with bush containing good totara and black pine timber, which should prove a valuable asset now .that the railway is almost completed. I t is understood that steps are likely to be taken very soon to turn some of the bush into a marketable commodity. If the settlers in the Gorge carry out their proposal to establish a dairy factory, some excellent sites can be obtained in close proximity to the railway station, and the subject having been mooted again, it is hoped that the matter will now be followed up until something is done. A few minutes walk along the railway formation to th® brow of the a grand panorama to the sight of the visitor. A level tract of low-lying swampy land, several miles in length, and about a mile across, stretches out from the terrace. The bush, through which the Mataura river winds its course, skirts the further side of the swamp, and some fine undulating land rises behind it, and as it rises higher and higher the hill tops are crested with bush, until the horizon is broken in the far distance by thickly wooded ranges. This swamp was considered by many, when the line was surveyed, one of the great obstacles to its being carried out owing to the expense of forming the line across it. An EXTENSIVE SYSTEM OP DRAINAGE has brought about a great change in the character of the swamp, and now in the middle of winter it is comparatively dry and can be crossed without -much inconvenience, whereas not long since crossimg it on foot w r ould have been almost impracticable. . A good wide outfall ditch one mile in length, reminding one of a river hoard’s channel, runs down the middle, and carries a good stream of water off to the lagoon to the south of the line. The ditches tunning parallel with the line intersect the outfall channel, and are fed fiom large wet patches where the top has been removed to make up the embankment. There are SIXTY MEN EMPLOYED from the terrace to the river making up the embankment. From this side it is made np from the clay taken out of the terrace. It is run down in dobbins (running on rails) and emptied upon a bed of the peaty soil taken from the sides. There are about twelve chains completed in this manner from the terrace, including a temporary bridge over a rather wet streak. The embankment is being constructed in sections about 10 feet high by the co-operative workers, each gang of eight men making up their own portion which, when completed, will connect with the others. The material used, being drained by

the ditches, is very spongy and full of vegetable fibre, and the men CUT IT WITH A HAY-KNIFE into large squares, and placing it in barrows wheel it away on planks. There will be four bridges at about equal distances across the swamp crossing drainage channels. The outfall ditclu is being continued further up by Mr Carswell, whose property it strikes. The banks of the Mataura river rise a few chains in width as a natural protection, and will provide a substantial approach to the bridge, which will have a span of about three chains. It will probably be another year before the bridge is undertaken, as|another Tote by Parliament wall be required before it can be commenced. The Southland members, however, are alive to the importance of getting the line across the river, and will not lose sight of requirements in the way of finanees. Once across the river there will be

ONLY FIVE MILES TO COMPLETE THE LINE to Waimahaka, the terminus. It will be 24 miles distant from Invercargill, and a few miles from Fortrose. In view of the settlement that will follow, it is rumoured that two large property owners on the other side of the river intend cutting up some of their land into small farms. There should be very little difficulty in disposing of them, as in that part of Southland there is some excellent grazing land, the stock taken off it being considered the best in the market. It is also understood that a dairy factory will be erected near Waimahaka, and that Messrs Timpany Bros, are at present cutting the timber for it. With the Fortrose district within a few hours’ travel from Invercargill instead of a day’s tedious journey as at present, the benefits to be derived at both ends of the line are incalculable, and what the development of the resources of the large tract of country it opens up may be, can at present only be guessed, but it is to be hoped that in the near future they will prove of equal advantage to both town and country.