THE RAILWAY.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 57, 26 May 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE RAILWAY.

(From the Lyttellon Times). We are glad to be able to state that since the date of our last summary the works of the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway are progressing steadily onwai'ds. The stone embankment has considerably advanced into the sea, and we found on visiting the works underground that a long length of the tunnel has been completed to its full size, and it is now, with the exception of a short length at the entrance, nearly finished to the extreme end of the main drive, some 600 yards. The material now being bored through is of a comparatively soft description, but very tough, and appears to require a very large amount of powder to dislodge it. There is still a very copious stream of water flowing; down the tunnel into the sea ; this water has been analysed in Melbourne, and through the kindness of Mr. George Holmes we have been able to furnish our readers with an analysis, which shows that the Water is of a very wholesome nature, but rather hard for washing purposes. We noticed a number ] of eels and small fish in the stream in the I tunnel. On passing into the tunnel on the Heathcot.e side of the hill we found that nearly all the brickwork that is at present required is completed, and that the rock is taken out to the full size of the tunnel, with the exception of a short length at the end of the brickwork, and about thesan-e length from the end of the main drive. On this side the tunnel has progressed about the same distance into the hill as on the Lyttelton side, making altogether some few yards over 1000 completed. The contractors have been taking advantage of the fine weather during the past month to complete all the earthwork on the line between Christchurch and the Ferry at Healhcote. A great length is now ballasted ready to receive tho permanent way; the railway bridge over the Healhsote, which is of timber, is in a very advanced state, and we are led to believe that before the rails, etc., can arrive from England everything will be ready to lay Diem in their places. A very substantial fonco is being rapidly erected along both sides of the line of railway, so protected by ditches that it cannot possililv be iujured. On (he site of the proposed wharf at llcathcote we saw the locomotive engine, the ! first of its family in New Zealand, and it was ' a matter of surprise to us how this now ' cumbersome-looking piece of machinery has ] been got where it is in safety. The con- i tractors informed us that they were greatly indebted to Captain Rose, of the Mermaid, j for his assistance, he having undertaken to j lift the engine out of the vessel which brought j it from Melbourne, and place it on board the lighter for the river. The engine is of Messrs Slaughter and Co.'s, of Bristol, make, and was tested in England in presence of Mr. Richardson last 3 r ear. We understand that very satisfactory progress is being made in Melbourne with the manufacture of the carriages and wagons, and a largo portion of them are expected here in about two months, as the contractors have advices of the shipment of a larjjo quantity of the permanent way materials; it is evident that unless some unforeseen circumstance occurs, the opening- of the tirst portion of the Lyttelton and Christchurch "Railway will not be delayed beyond September next, the time at first named by the contractors.