Railway Extension Work Planned in South Island

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1942, Page 4

Railway Extension Work Planned in South Island

Blenheim, Aug. 25. After many months during which work has been almost at a standstill because men are required elsewhere for urgent war undertaKings the War Adrninistration has reached the decision to complete the Blenheim-Kaikoura link of the South Island main trunk railway. Following this the railhead will be pushed northwards from Hundalee as far as possible. This was announced by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, last night, when he addressed commercial and industrial interests on transport problems. He said the decesion had been made on his recommendation as part of a scheme to conserve existing rubber supplies. Only about 10 miles of plate-laying and 20 miles of ballasting remained to be completed north of Kaikoura. The Minister estimated that by pushing the job and working three shifts daily the line could get to Kaikoura in five months. "If we can do this we can save approximately 100,000 gallons of petrol and between 400 and 500 heavy duty tyres annually," the Minister said, pointing out that with the completion of this link motor vehicles operating on the route would have to go off the road. Mr. Semple said arrangements had been made to secure further supplies of rails, and as far as he could see there were no obstacles to prevent plans from being carried out. In a gap south of Kaikoura there were two bridges that might hold the work up.