OUR RAILWAYS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2621, 11 June 1887, Page 2

OUR RAILWAYS.

, The following are llie U'affie returntt [ for the period from Ist to 30th April, j lt!87, (30 days), and for the cortea-' ; ponding period, 188G (31 days:— .: v

In tho North there are 629 miles open for traffic agaiust 571 last year, and in tho Middle Island 1098 miles, against 1050 last yeiir. The total numbor of passongera carried last month was 349349, against 347253, au increase of 209 G. The comparative statement show an increase in wool of 038 tons; grain, 16465 tone, and minerals 5712 tons, while timber allowed a decrease of 797 tons, and merchandise 1950 tons WBLLINGTON-WOODVttLB. lii his annual report on the railways, tho Enginepr speaks of the Wei-lington-Woodville lines as follows : Open Lines.—The usual minor improvements andadditions to works, buildings, and plank bave'beon carried out during tho year. „: ■ Opaki and Kopuaraiyi The Opaki section and part of the Kopuarungi one, as far as Mayricevillo was opened for traffic on the 14th June, 1880, the distanco troro Msstei'toa being 12 miles 8 chains. . The re. niainder of tho Kopuaranga section to Mangaraalioe, 4 miles seven chains was opened pu .tho 10th January. This makes' a continuous length of railway froiri Wollington to Mangamahoe of 81 miles 75 chains. Tho' works on the Kopuarangi section were greatly retarded by slips in the porous careous strata through whioh the lincta passes, The Blips have, however, bee^ 1 removed or stopped, and it iB not" anticipated that they will give much trouble in future. Wiwaka Section.—! contract for formation, bridges, ond permanent-way on the Wiwaka section was entered into on the 23rd August, 1886. The length of the section is 6' miles 15 chains: it brings the railway to the village of Eketahuna. ■ This seotion, which is the heaviest between the Eirautaka and Woodville, comprises very heavy earth workandrookcuttings five bridgeg «nd large ouHwti, gad a

ttinnel- U chains long. The works have been carried on with great vigor, upwards of two hundred men being constantly employed, Awapurua Bridge.—Tho bottom and banks of the Mnnuwutu River, at tlie Rite of this bridge, are composed of light shingleand alluvim, easily washed away by floods. The extra scour tendered by the erection of the bridge da to damage the foundations and approaches. Five of the piers have been strengthened by concrete blocks, ami the embankments have been protected by groin's, These measures have so far been successful; but further protection will he required at other places. \ Surveys,—ln view of the early settle"ment of the adjoining lauds, the remaining portion of the Wellington"WoodviUe railway—the Eketahtma and Woodville section—has been set out lor contract, The line follows generally the western margin of tho Maugatainoko and Makukihi valleys, the Mauawatu river being crossed by tho Awapurua Bridge. As far as possible the railway is located clear of the heavy floods to which these valleys arc subject. The gradients and curves are good, and the works generally light; the heaviest work is in crossing the Jlangutainoko, where eleven or twelve chains of bridging will be required. 'Jho length of the Eketahumi-Wood-ville section is 26 miles 54 chains. This makes the distance from Wellington to Woodville by the Wairarapa 114 miles 6-1 chains, as against 105 miles 17 chains by the Manawalu Company's | lino and Talmerston.

NORTH ISLAND. 1887 1880 £. & d. £. s.d. Rovenuo ... 3197G 0 10 291919 2 Expenditure 20243 8 11 20003 6 8 MIDDLE ISLAND. Itevenuo .,, 7G930 7 0 72581 9 i Expenditure 38412 8 fl 38557 6 9 WELLINGTON SECTION. Pasaongers 2579 8 2 2,451 G 8 Parcels and lu «- gago - 203 0 1 229 10 5 Goods •,., 3412 10 9 3099 14 7 Miacellaiieoiu i 11 1 4' 13 1G 10 Routs and Com- ; mission .., 78 1 8 80 1811 Total ,„ £0344 2 0 £5875 7 li Passengers ... 32041 29223 Parcels, &c ... 3178 2i03 Sheop ... 1G421 10779 Cattle, Ac, ... 302 108 Wool (tons) ... 1371 1025 Timber (tons) i ... 2300 2224 Merchandise ... 3048 3058