D.—6a

2

chains into Turakina Station being level. The following table will show the various grades and lengths in this section: —

The general direction of this deviation is inland of the present line, the greatest deviation being at Wangaehu, where the distance from the existing line would be about one mile and three-quarters. This would necessitate the removal of the Wangaehu Station this distance inland. Baker's Crossing, a flag-station of little importance, lying between Fordell and Wangaehu, would be eliminated by this deviation. At Fordell, the proposed site for new station is by road, about one mile and a half from existing one. This site, lying in the Matarawa Valley, is about 240 ft. below the top of the ridge upon •which Fordell is situated, and the traffic from Fordell, and inland by the main traffic road (No. 2 line), would have to descend to the valley by the somewhat steep branch road which now exists. On the other hand, however, this site would suit admirably the inland traffic which now reaches Fordell by this branch road. The construction of this section, owing to the rough, broken country, will of necessity be somewhat expensive, tunnelling and bridging entering largely into the cost. Of the former item there are 86 chains, the tunnel piercing the Wangaehu Hill being 69 chains in length, and the other two, at 9 miles 74 chains and 10 miles 45 chains, being 12 chains and 5 chains respectively. The combined length of the bridges is 720 ft.; that crossing the Wangaehu Eiver being 400 ft. and that for the Turakina Eiver 320 ft. Both of these bridges are estimated for 80ft. iron spans with cylinder piers. The length of the Wangaehu deviation between Matarawa and Turakina is by traverse 11 miles 68 chains, and the distance by the present route is 14 miles 28 chains ; thus the proposed deviation on this section would shorten the distance between these two stations by two miles and a half. The estimated cost of this deviation is £128,150, at the rate of £10,972 per mile. Brunswick Section. The survey of this section diverges from the present line about three-quarters of a mile from Aramoho, and again joins it at the bridge crossing Goat Valley Stream. The gradient ascends from the point of divergence near Aramoho for a distance of 4 miles 63 chains at the rate of 1 in 70, then falls away to the junction at the bridge crossing Goat Valley Stream with a gradient of 1 in 90 to 1 in 146. The following table shows the lengths of the various grades :—

The general direction of the deviation is inland of the present line ; its greatest detour is about one mile and a half from existing line, and occurs almost abreast of Brunswick Station (flag-station). The proposed site for new station is about three-quarters of a mile from the present station, but situated in the Goat Valley would be much better adapted to the requirements of inland traffic, and would be close v to the Western Eoad, which taps the interior. The earthworks in connection with the construction of this section for the first three miles, and for about 20 chains on the Goat Valley side of the tunnel, will be heavy, the second mile being abnormally so, as the line here crosses the mouths of the smaller gullies running into the main gully, necessitating heavy embankments.

jai uem ;s. .seem .ing. Descending ling. .8. 1 in 70 1 in 75 1 in 80 1 in 88 1 in 95 1 in 100 1 in 110 1 in 165 1 in 176 1 in 440 1 in 550 Leve] ! ... M. oh. 0 77 1 0 1 45 1 0 0 45 0 25 0 8 0 10 0 miles 7 M. oh. 3 37 0 71 M. ch. 3 37 1 68 1 0 0 16 1 75 1 0 0 45 0 25 0 8 0 10 0 25 0 79 0 16 0 30 0 25 chains Total length 11 68

Gradients. Ascending. Descending. Totals. M. ch. 4 63 M. oh. M. eh. 4 63 0 75 1 C 0 30 0 20 0 22 in 70 in 90 in 120 in 14S in 146 level 0 75 1 0 0 30 0 20 0 miles 12 chains Total length ... 7 50