STRATFORD OKAHUKURA RAILWAY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 100, 30 April 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD OKAHUKURA RAILWAY.

THE OKA HU TUNNEL. ' j (From the Olmra Advocate). Generally speaking, the railway works continue to make good progress hut, midouhtedly, the centre of interest is the work in the Okahu tunnel, as this is the key to the whole position. it will he remembered that some two months since, owing to some difficulty, work in the tunnel was temporarily suspended until matters could be arranged with the sureties oi the contractor, and it is in this respect that I will endeavour to explain the position at present. In the new arrangement, a manager in the person oi Mir Dillon, a Wellington contractor, was| appointed to supervise the work, butthis gentleman has not yet taken up his position, and the business so far appears to be under the control ot Air .1, Forrest, .Inn, It has been considered necessary to timber the whole length of the workings from each end of the tunnel, and this is the work in progress since its re-commencement about a month ago. No boring is being done at the face, but only in connection with the fitting of the timbers. About half of this is completed, so tjiat solid work may be expected in a month’s time. TRAM LINE. The Department appears to be using every means to provide the much discussed tramline from the end of the metalled road at the 14-mile to Aiatiere, but T fear there is little chance of this before late in winter. Although double shifts are working it seems an impossibility to carry out the work before the roads should commence to dry up again in the early slimmer. Messrs Cameron and Bagust are now engaged on the approaches of a 5-chain tunnel on the track, and this will take three months to complete. To deviate from this will entail much labour and time, so that nothing can be expected under three months. The 71 chain tunnel lately pierced is now being timbered, in anticipation of the tramline. ROAD METALLING. As regards road metalling, it seems out of the question to expect much this time of the season. Certainly, some of the worst parts of the road will bo metalled. The now deviation near the crooked bridge will cut off one of the worst pieces of road besides shortening the distance. A large kiln of papa for this portion is now ready for burning. Another deviation neai Marshall’s is being pumiced, and, I understand, another part is to be metalled, which will all tend to make the road easier, and this, I believe, is all we are likely to get. After <o many years struggle through the mud, let the Matiereites take comfort in the sweet reflection that it will be the last time; that during next summer the tunnel should he opened and the formation completed to Matiere, and the heavy goods railed through at comparative small cost, which will leave the main road in a more negotiable .state for light wheel traffic.