Railway tunnels - Design and construction

Date: 1969

By: McAra, James Bertie, 1908-1991

Reference: PA1-o-2052

Description: Photograph album of images depicting the construction of the Kaimai railway tunnel over the period 1969-1973. Front inside cover is inscribed "Ministry of Works Kaimai Tunnel Project, presented to Bert McAra on his retirement -15.2.1973". Page three of the album lists signatures of McAra's workmates and colleagues. Includes dated and captioned photographs of the tunnel's excavation, construction processes, a fatal cave-in in 1970 where four workers lost their lives, tunnel boring equipment, the tunnel's eastern and western portals, and a group portrait of staff and workmen, December 1972. Contains one colour photograph depicting the start of underground work in February 1969. Title supplied by Library. The album was presented to Bert McAra, Inspector of Mines and Quarries with the Mines Department, on his retirement 15 February 1973. Quantity: 1 album(s) containing 38 black and white prints and one colour print. Physical Description: Photograph album with blue and gold embossed cover and metal ring-binder spine, 22 x 27 cm. Inscription of front cover reads 'photographs'. Provenance: Donor is the daughter of Bert McAra.

Date: 1906 to 1907

From: New Zealand. Department of Labour :Photograph albums for the International Exhibition, Christchurch, 1906-1907

By: Tibbutt Brothers (Firm)

Reference: PA1-o-374

Description: Views of railway construction on the North Island Main Trunk Line, and the Midland Railway Line in the South Island. The only locations named in the North Island are Waiouru and Oio, and Broken River in the South Island. All the labourers are co-operative workers, who are seen in various capacities working on railway formation including cuttings and deviations, building bridges and tunnels, and in their camps. Many of the views show huge changes made to the landscape; others show close-up scenes of the men and their equipment. Other Titles - N.Z. Department of Labour Other Titles - Views of co-operative works Other Titles - N.I.M.T. & Midland Railways Quantity: 1 album(s). Physical Description: Album with tan leather cover, entitled `N.Z. Department of Labour. Views of co-operative works. N.I.M.T. & Midland Railways. N.Z. International Exhibition, Christchurch, 1906-7'; 25.5 x 30.5 cm

Date: [Circa 1890s-1920s]

From: Kennedy, William Alexander, 1865-1950 :Photographs of the Southern Alps area

By: Beck, Dick, active 1895; Beken, Charles Albert, 1859-1944; Frazer, William D, active 1920s-1940s; Grace, W, active 1890s; Kennedy, William Alexander, 1865-1950; Lee, A A, active 1920s?; Manson, (Mr), active 1920s; Pascoe, John Dobree, 1908-1972; Peart, Heaton Clairemont, 1894-1991

Reference: PAColl-0959-25

Description: Photographs of mountains and valleys in the Arthur's Pass National Park, including numbers of views of the Otira Tunnel under construction, with interior and exterior views. Various photographers have been identified, some with only their surname. They include H C Peart, A A Lee, [?] Manson, [?] Beck, T.C., John Pascoe, W D Frazer, [?] Barrett, and C Beken. From information about William Alexander Kennedy it appears that a large number of the photographs were taken by him, taking groups of former students on mountaineering trips. Many of the images show groups of young people, none of whom are identified, taken circa 1925-1926. (See article at http://www/nzine.co.nz/features/wak.html) Many of the images show winter views including icicles formed on waterfalls, frozen spray on twigs, and one with frozen spume near the Otira Tunnel. Image no. 25 shows an undentified woman standing at the foot of a semi-frozen waterfall, and image no. 64 shows an undentified woman wearing a woollen coat with fur collar and a felt hat, looking at icicles in Arthur's Pass. Image no. 43 shows "The Birches" in winter, near the summit of Arthur's pass on the Bealey side. Image no. 65 shows four women and a men with armfuls of mountain lilies in Arthur's pass. Images no. 70-71 show a small ferry [?] by the pier at Lake Brunner. Image no. 89 shows three men and a dog standing near a mountain hut, with a camera on a tripod. Most of the places shown are listed above. Other Titles - Arthur's Pass National Park Quantity: 150 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin prints. Finding Aids: Typescript inventory of this box held in Photographic Archive backfile under "Kennedy, William Alexander.".

Date: [191-?]

From: Abraham, A R (Mrs) : Photographs

Reference: 1/2-041390-F

Description: Concrete blocks and workers alongside, Taihape district. The blocks are possibly for tunnels on the Main Trunk railway line. Photograph taken circa 190-?, by an unidentified photographer. Source of descriptive information - Notes on file print. Date estimated by cataloguer. Quantity: 1 b&w copy negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: [ca 1971]

From: Ryan, Raymond S, fl 1960-2014: Photographs relating to the construction of Ohakuri hydro-electric dam, of Hikurangi swamp in flood, and the tunnel boring machine at Kaimai Railway Tunnel

By: Ryan, Raymond S, active 1960-2014

Reference: 1/4-125283-F

Description: Shows kaimai tunnel in background with boring machinery in foreground. Taken by Ray Ryan. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: February 1969

From: McAra, James Bertie, 1908-1991: Kaimai tunnel project photograph album

Reference: PA1-o-2052-01

Description: Shows early stage of boring into hillside, with wagons and machinery positioned outside tunnel entrance. Taken by unidentified photographer. Descriptive information taken from item. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 colour original photographic print(s).