THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 12 November 1907, Page 3

THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

The Public Works .SLiU'inun contains tliu following review of Llie Alain Trunk line; — A large amount ol work has been carried uui 011 this line during tliu year, anil the expenditure greatly exceeds any previous year. At the north end, the rail head has advanced to tile to,) of the spiral two miles and a-half beyond Raurimu, or 201 miles from Auckland, and rail-laying is now in hand southwards ol that point. The formation works of the spiral are well advanced, so that rail-laying as far as Waiuiarino and Alakalolo will probably proceed without interruption. A great deal of work has been done at Makatotc, but the structure is still far from completion. Tlie contract time expired on loth June last, but it is unlikely that the viaduct will be ready for the rails to be laid over until March next. The contract tor this is .held by J. and A. Anderson, of Christcliurch, who are also contractors for the superstructures of Alanganui, Oteao, and Alaugaturuturu viaducts further along. The concrete piers and abutments of tlie latter viaducts have already been constructed by the Department, and are awaiting the erection of the superstructures by Messrs. Anderson. Their contract time for these works expires iu February next, but it seems unlikely at present that they will be completed by that date. The rails will easily reach Alakatote by March, so that if the viaduct is completed by then, rail-laving can be carried on to Manganui and Otea, and ■ as soon as the latter viaduct is ready, I can be continued to Manga tnrityurn, and so on, at the south end of the line. The section between Tnihape and Alataro ~, six miles in length, ivas handed over 10 the Railway Department for regular working in June last. The section from Alafaroa to Waionru is Hearing completion. A ballast train has been running 011 it some time, and it will be handed to the Railway Department by Cliristi mas. The section from Waiouru to ; liangitaua, fourteen miles, has been u-cd for goods since May last, and the rails extend three miles further, and by a temporary line as far as Hapuawlienua viaduct, anpther two miles, making altogether an advance in tlie position of the rail-head at the south end of the line during the year of 20 miles. The first three miles beyond Waiouru, however, is on a temporary line. 'The permanent line along this , »ection embraces some very heavy carth- . works. It is well in Sand, and is ex- | poctcd to be ready for plaielaylng in the course of a few months. Ballast trains between Tauiuarunui and Raurimn and between Mataroa and Rangataua have been carrying passengers for some time, and the running at the southern end has now been extended to nhakuue. It is also proposed to shortly commence the issue of through tickets from Auckland to Wellington. The gap between the railheads is now only 21 miles, and over this a eoaeh service has been established on a good road. J!y ('liri-tniiis I expect to be able to carry iw-M-iijpMrs at the north end as far as Wainiarino, which will reduce the coach .-ervice To 18 miles, and by March, 11108, lo Makatole. which will further reduce the gap to 11 miles. The last link in the chain will lake some little time to complete, as the 11-mile section embraces three viaducts, four large bridges and one funnel, besides other heavy

works. Two of tin' viaducts arc beiujr carried out liy the Depart meat's own workmen. Tliai uvor Toanui is Hearing completion ami ITapuawliemia, tli'o longest mi the lini\ is well in hand, lint ill prc-cnt. is onlv in the foundation -fa I :''. A start with its erection will |irnl);iltly 1.0 made duriTiu (lie present iih hi I li. All tlie work is -:.!i:-l'ai-lorily, and willi favorable weather T confidently expect that the rails will lie connected between Auckland and Wellington not later tluin Christmas, 1908. I