STRATFORD RAILWAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1921, Page 5

STRATFORD RAILWAY.

EXTENSION TO OHURA. WORK BEING EXPEDITED. The chairman and secretary of the Ohura Railway League recently interviewed the Minister for Public Works regarding the promise to complete the railway to Ohura at an early date. The delay has been caused by ‘ the impossibility of getting steel for the combined railway and traffic bridge over the Ongarue River at Okahukura. A temporary wooden structure started was abandoned recently because steel began to arrive. The material is now at the site and an Auckland firm of contractors hope to have the work completed by June next. Contracts have also been let for four small bridges over the Ohura River, and the foundations are now being laid. The bridges will be ready when the line reaches them. Ninety-five men are now employed on the works.

The Minister recognises the importance of the early completion of the line to Matiere and Ohura, and it is believed the rails will reach Matiere next summer. The Okahu tunnel of 76 chains was finished several months ago. This is the largest engineering difficulty so far overcome. Members of the King Country Railway and Development League visited the works recently, and held a meeting at Matiere. The party went through the large tunnel on a truck.— Auckland Herald.