THE ORETI RAILWAY.

Southland Times, Issue 1165, 15 November 1869, Page 2

THE ORETI RAILWAY.

Availing ourselves of the courteous invitation of the Railway Engineer, we took oar place on the ballast engine, and had a run up the Oreti Railway on Saturday last, 13th inst. Getting on while the train halted for a moment, we had no sooner mounted, than, with the preliminary shrill whistle, the ponderous iron horse gave a few snorts and sped smoothly on, dragging with it with perfect ease — steam at only half pressure —a tail comprised of some fifteen waggons of gravel. Emerging from the apparent confusion of switches, sidings, trucks, carriages, and sheds at the station, the first feature which attracted notice was the highly finished and permanent appearance of the line as it stretched ahead; and next the feeling of security imparted by the steady, solid, though monotonous rumble of the train, as she rolled along it. For the first three miles the line is completed, and in perfect working order. For the next three miles the work is not so finished like, but is equally as secure, all that remains to be done being the final touches known as dressing, and consisting of the spreading and smoothing over of a light surface coating of gravel. On entering the Waikivi Bush, the prospect in front partakes of the features of an avenue leading to some lordly mansion, the white-gravelled carriageway shooting snake - like, through the forest. Clearing the bush and crossing the Waikivi Plains with their snug farm-houses, green fields, comfortablelooking lazy cows, and startled horses, the train again entered timber, and began to ascend a gentle incline, while stray tools and other unmistakeable signs of the vicinity of workmen gave notice that we were near our journey's end. About a mile in the Mafcarewa Buah we were brought to a halt in the midst of a crowd of navvies, who, with willing hands, soon i transferred the load from the trucks to its destination between the rails. Taking advantage of the short delay, we had a look round, and made a few enquires. At the point of stoppage, all was animation and bustle. In the bush on each side of the line were numerous tents and huts, the abodes of the workmen at that moment busily shoveling the gravel from the trucks, while, close at hand, Mr Fraser's mill was puffing away with cheery whiz cutting up sleepers. On the whole, the spot had an air of activity about it which was most refreshing. In answer to our enquiries, we learned that the smaller contract, as it is called, the first three miles above alluded to, is entirely finished, and the next four miles nearly so, requiring only the dressing mentioned to complete it. The rails are laid for a mile further, and the formation squad are some distance in advance of that again. The Waihopai and Waikivi bridges are all but finished, and the workmen are now at that over the Makarewa. Wherever level crossings occur, they have been most substantially

formed, the beat of the old wooden' railfe having come iv most suitably for that purpose. At intervals along the line are immense piles of rails, chairs, Art., waiting to be forwarded as required. Behind the other workmen follow a few hand* who cut up all the waste wood for the engine fire, ia which receptacle a large proportion of the famous wooden rails meet an appropriate end. There are about 130 men permanently employed on the works ; the ballast train makes five trips a-day, bringing up from 60 to--70 yards of gravel each trip ; and the rate of progress over all is averaged at about one mile per week, so that, as nearly eight miles are now done, the whole should be ready to hand over in something like three months from this date. We believe, however, that even before that time the greater portion of the line will be available for traffic, and then our settlers will begin to realize the advantages of possessing the best and most extensive railway in the colony. The process of discharging having been accomplished, we resumed our position ou the engine, and in a few minutes were whirled back to town, fully convinced that, notwithstanding so much has been said against them here, there is nothing like railways.