The Great South Line.

The contract for the Great South Line from Christchurch to Rakaia River included the supply of rolling stock, viz.:—Seven passenger carriages and 15 goods wagons as specified by the Engineer (Mr. W. T. Doyne) and two locomotives of the same type as those in use on the Lyttelton to Christchurch line. The two new locomotives (numbered 3 and 4) were obtained from the same builders who supplied the two L. and C. engines. There was at first some difficulty with No. 4. The boiler steamed well, and the engine, though a little sluggish, would run light, but, when a load was attached, it jibbed and could not be induced to pull. To outward appearance there was no reason for this, but it was not page 42 until the engine had stood in the shed for some time, that it occurred to some one to look inside. The cause of the trouble was then found to be the collapse of the internal steam pipe, which would still pass enough steam to move the engine, but not enough to enable it to pull a load. After the fitting of a new pipe the engine did good work during the remainder of its stay in New Zealand.

A somewhat lighter type of permanent way was adopted for the Southern line. Flat-footed (vignolles) rails of 651b. to the yard and fastened directly to the sleepers were used instead of the 701b. double-headed rails in chairs of the Lyttelton line.

The contractors undertook to construct the first 13 miles of line in twelve months, and to complete to the north bank of the Rakaia in two years, but this undertaking was subject to certain financial arrangements by the Provincial Council. The contract also provided that the contractors would, if required, work each section as completed for six months, providing station accommodation to enable traffic to be conveniently conducted, and to run two passenger trains each way daily, at times to be approved by the Government. The contractors were to take the traffic receipts of the line in payment of the working expenses. The tolls to be taken were not to exceed, per passenger, sixpence (6d.) per mile, and per ton of goods, two shillings and sixpence (2/6) per mile.

A conference of the Engineers for the line, with Messrs. T. Cass, Chief Surveyor, and E. Dobson, Engineer for the L. and C. Railway, was held for the purpose of deciding the number and location of stations. Their report recommended:—

1. At the corner of Lincoln Road and Town Belt.
2. At the crossing of Riccarton Road.
3. At the 14 mile post.
4. At the south bank of the Selwyn.

These were stated to be the only stations required at first, but there was space on the three chain reserve for any others which might be found necessary thereafter. When the line was working to Selwyn, however, the stations were:—Addington (1), Riccarton (2), Racecourse, Templeton, Rolleston (3), Leeston Road (afterwards Burnham), and Selwyn. The first section of the line to be constructed was from the east side of Colombo Street, Christchurch, to the George and Dragon Inn on the Great South Road, a distance of about six miles. Some enterprising settlers assumed there would be a station at the George and Dragon, and were much disconcerted when the site of Templeton station was fixed about three-quarters of a mile further south. As a solatium a stop, when required, for passengers was granted. This stop was called “Parish's,” and remained for some years. The fares charged were the same as for Templeton.

The time-table for the South Line on and after 16th December, 1867, was as follows:—