THE ORETI RAILWAY.

Southland Times, Issue 1170, 24 November 1869, Page 4

THE ORETI RAILWAY.

Availing ourselves of the courteous irmfation of the Railway Engineer, we took our place on the ballast engine, and I had a run up the Oreti Bailway on Saturday last, 13fch iDsfc Getting on while the ham 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 eage — 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 lme 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. Eor the next three miles the work is not so finished like, hub 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 Waibivi Bush, the prospect in front partakes of the features of an avenue leading to some lordly mansion, the white-gravelled carriageway shooiino snake - like through Ibe forest. Clearing the bush and crossing the "Waildvi Plains with their snug farm-houses, green fields, cotnfortabJeWlansdr lazy cows, and startled horses, the trnin 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 Makarewa Bush we were brought to a halt in the midst of a crowd of navvies, who, with willing hands, soon Iransferred 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 fii\st 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 iv advance of that again. The "Waihopai aud Waikivi bridges are all but finished, and the workmen are now at I hat over the Makarewa. "Wherever level crossings occur, they have been, most substantially formed, the best of the old wooden rails having come in most suitably for that purpose. At intervals along the line are immense piles of rails, chairs, &c, waiting to be forwarded as required. Behind the other workmen follow a few hands who cut up all the waste wood for the engine fire, in 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 somethiug like three months from this date. We believe, however, that even before that lime the greater portion of the line will be available for traffic, and then our settlors 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 on the engine, and in a few minutes were whirled back to town, fully convinced lhat, notwithstanding so much has been said agninst them here, there is nothing like railways.

phenomenon. The frost was as severe as any during the past winter. The barometer, which had steadily decreased tor a week previous to the commencement of the polar current on the 11th, then rose as steadily during its continuance, and had reached its greatest height at the time of the frost just mentioned— on the 17th. On that day, at about 1.30 a.m., when the barometer was at its highest, and the thermometer at its lowest, and , at the precise time when the magnetic pohir ; current ceased, a sharp shock of earthquake occurred, the direction from S. to N. The earthquake has been followed by somewhat unsettled weather, and the usual meteorological peculiarities. The few days immediately preceding the polar current, were further remarkable for several fine Aurora?, and a total absence of ozone, the latter causing much sickness. The current seldom reached the ftrce of a gale in Southland, but in the neighborhood, and especially off the west coast, the wind was very violent. The mean temperature of the air was 507 deg. which is 2 8 deg. below the average of 10 years The rainfall was 278 inches, which is neithe more nor less than the average. Barometer (corrected and reduced to 32 deg. Fah., and sea level).— Max., 30301 (18th) ; mm 29-214 (22nd) ; mean, 29834 ; range, TOB7 inch, Thermometer tin shade). — Max., 720 (9th and 10th) ; mm., 260 (17th) ; mean, 507 ; total range, 46-0 ; mean daily range, 19 8 deg. Hygrometer. — Dew point, 43 "5 j vapour tension, 0283 ; relative humidity, "78. KA.DIA.TION. — Terrestrial mean, Sl'l J mm., 16-0 (17th). . , Evaporation.— Total amount, 2*920 mchoe. Cloud. — Mean amount, 5 - 5. Wind.— N., 5 ; N.E., 0 ; E., 2 ; S.E., 8 ; S., 1 ; S. W., 1 ; W., 5 ; N.W., 9 days. Anemometer. — Mean, 263 miles ; max., # 520 (23rd). Ozonometer. — Max. on 26th ; zero on 9th and 10th (contemporaneously with maximum temperature). RAINFALL.— TotaI, 2789 inches ; max. in 24 hours, 084 inch (25th) ; rain fell on 10 days. CHARLES ROUS MARTEN, Director.