PROGRESS OF THE RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 341, 21 July 1874, Page 2

PROGRESS OF THE RAILWAY.

Our reporter has taken tho only certain means of ascertaining facts with regard to the work done by the Volunteer Engineer Militiamen— he has travelled along the line and kept his eyos and ears open. We started him on the expedition in order to clear up any doubt that may sti[l exist in the minds of those who are always ready to find fault with and grumble at the manner every work is perJormed by those in the direct employment of Go\ eminent. Tho first work ho camo to was tue bush clearing immediately opposite Ngaruawahia. He tells us that there is one and a hall miles of bush cut and cleared for a width of 20 leefc. All the stumps are remoird with the exception of about a quarter of a mile. In addition to the work mentioned above, the party which is stationed at Ngaruawalua, under the immediate chaige of Serjeant-Major .Small, supervised by Captain Kowo, hus cut three miles of drains ; this is very wet work, the men often working up to their middles m water. Two pairs of sawyers are also attached to thepaity, they cut all the timber needed Jor the works. A corduroy road is made from the pits to the line ol road. The work ii creditable to a)l concerned. The party stationed at Taupiri under Captain Rowo has formed a considerable section of road, nnd is now employed extracting stone ready for crushing by the machine wlncli is expected to arrivcin a tew days. Il is to be hoped that enough stone will bo got at this place to balhist the wliole line in places where stone is not piocurable. This party 111 conjunction with Captain Schoficld's stationed at Ariniluges'b Farm, and Lieutenant Russell's, whoto head quarters are at Ranginri, have completed, ready to receive ballast and sleepers — about 14 miles of road in all. In one or two places heavy cuttings were necessary. We learn that Mr Stewart the Inspectiug Engineer is well satisCed botli with the quantity and quality of tho work. It is due to the ollicers and men composing the force that we should bear witness to the umfoimly orderly manner the men have conducted themselves when m tho township.