The Pioneer Engineers.

As the Lyttelton to Christchurch Railway was approaching completion, and in view of the other important works in hand, some rearrangement of the supervising staff of the Province was made at this time. Mr. Thos. L. Locke was appointed Assistant Engineer for the L. and C. Railway, thus relieving Mr. Dobson and permitting him to undertake the duties of Provincial Engineer in addition to the position of Resident Engineer for the Railway. Mr. C. M. Igglesden was appointed Resident Engineer at Lyttelton to supervise the railway and wharf work. Mr. Charles Scott, who had been sent from England as Tunnel Inspector page 44 by Mr. G. R. Stephenson, was in bad health, and it was decided to pay him six months salary and provide a passage for him back to England and terminate his engagement. His place was not filled, the work being undertaken at the Lyttelton end by Mr. Igglesden, and at the Heathcote end by a draftsman.

The Supervising Engineer for the Great South Railway (Mr. W. T. Doyne) came to New Zealand to superintend the construction of a railway for the Dun Mountain Copper Mining Co. in Nelson, which line was claimed to be the first railway in New Zealand, but as the City Council of Nelson would not permit the use of a locomotive in the streets, the line was never more than a private horse tramway. Mr. Doyne had had varied experience both at Home and abroad, and was a man of distinguished attainments, but latterly his activities were curtailed by failing health. The Resident Engineer for the Railway was Mr. J. Major, who was associated with Mr. Doyne in this and other similar works.

(To be continued.)