SUPPLIES OF RAILS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 May 1941, Page 3

SUPPLIES OF RAILS

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) BLENHEIM, May 8.

Approximately 1000 tons of rails required for completion of the South Island Main Trunk is being landed at Picton. What can be handled al once has already been taken to various points along the line, mainly to the Clarence bridge. It is estimated that 2290 tons of rails are needed to complete the whole line and there is every reason to expect that these will shortly be available, but even without the full quantity the 1000 tons now available is sufficient to take the line within striking distance of Kaikoura from the north. With rails already in hand on the southern section, ’there is sufficient to bring the line as far north as Kahautara. Accordingly there is now directly on hand a sufficient quantity of rails to complete the line with the exception of a gap of approximately 14 miles.

The formation work on the northern section enables plate-laying to proceed. but it will first be necessary to repair the damage to the Clarence and Hapuku bridges sustained in the heavy Hood of a few weeks ago. If all goes well forecasts that the line will be completed to Kaikoura by the end of the year should be fulfilled.