THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1591, 7 June 1887, Page 1

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

In .the House of Representatives on Friday night the Minister for Public Works made a statement regarding the work bo the Midland Railway. He said s soon as the Company had been floated and the contract assigned, tbe Directors decided to let ut once a contract for the construction of a part of the line. It was found that the only portion which could be let at once, and which was readily accessible, was that from Brunnerton to Tersmakau, as the surveys of that portion are known to be accurate and would not require alteration, while the other portions of the line either had no working surveys or those which had been made required revision. The arrangements for letting the Brunnerton-Teremakau contract, a length of about twenty-eight miles, were concluded in London in August, and in October tbe representatives of the Oaropany and tbe contractors had arrived in the colony. The preliminary arrangements for acquiring land and commencing work necessarily occupied a considerable time, but before the end of December the contractors had actually commenced work. The formal turning of the first sod did not take place nmil the 24ih January, to allow the presence of the Deputy Chairman of the Company. The contractors since then have kept steadily at work. In addition to the work of formation of the permanent way the Company and contractors have purchased, up to date of last advices, a large quantity of rolling stock and railway materia', viz., 2200 tons of rails; rolling stock—4 locomotives, 24 tons weight each ; 22 waggons, 3 brake vans (bogie), and about 5000 tons various. ■Of those i:-00 tons.of rails, 27 waggons, 3 brake vans, and about 1000 tons various have already been delivered in the colony. Some of. the rails are already laid, and the trucks are being emp'oyed in addition to the Government rolling steok in carrying material from the port.to the works, A locomotive has also arrived, which is being put together at Qreyrnouih. It is expected that trains will be running on the first section by the end of August next, and that a further portion of the line will be open in September next, others following shortly after. A section of eight miles has been let on the line from Stillwater to £,unnerton t