The construction of railway tracks at an unknown location assumed to be in the Manawatū in the 1890s or early 20th century.

Reverse reads:

This view is taken from the road opposite the first tunnel, on the right is seen the Palmerston-Napier road. The broken water is the first, and most dangerous rapid in the Gorge, on this side of which is seen, steps, wire-rope and cage for crossing to the east end of the long tunnel; above the rapid, by use of a reading glass, another wire-rope can be seen near the west end of second tunnel. From river-bed above second rope, to about one inch down from the lend hand top corner of the view, is seen portions of the 'big slip' and where it slipped from, this the second slip here, the first cost £ 2000 to remove and this would cost about £ 6000 so the tunnel was deviated and lengthened about 9 chains, above this is seen a portion of an iron railway bridge, at east end of the tunnel, and which spans the Niagara Creek, and which requires no other explanation than its name. The Manawatu River rises about 54 ft, and the road and railway is about 20ft. above flood level.

R McGonagle 1888

An undated portrait of an unidentified soldier shaking hands with an unidentified man.

Reverse reads:

This view is taken from the Palmerston Napier road, west end of the first tunnel looking towards Ashurst [sic] and Palmerston. In the foreground with the use of reading-glass, may be seen a wire-rope type and cage, on the left is faintly seen the roadway, on the right is seen the railway lines disappearing on the right and where it will shortly connect with the Pohangina Railway Bridge. The river here is much wider and the water turns each side of an egg-shaped island about 1/2 mile long to where the Pohangina River junctions with the Manawatu River, thence it takes a turn at right angles and disappears away from the left, on its way to Foxton.

R McGonagle 1888

Note - about 1 mile west from where this was taken 1/2 mile to the left, the Manawatu is spanned by a road-bridge (timber) 9-80 [?] and several short spans. The water rises about 20 ft here and follows the low lying grounds [?] here and Foxton.

Reverse reads:

Manawatū Gorge Road Bridge.

Showing moveable staging and moveable bridge, used during repairs.

Robt McGonagle 1891 [signed]

Main span 162 ft. retrussed without supports from river bed

Total length of bridge 437 ft.

ALterations and staging designed by self and approved of by Dept

E Hall, Photographer, Woddville [stamp on back]

Reverse reads:

Mr W G Bassett. Contractor Builder

Pohangina River railway bridge, 8-80 ft spans iron on iron cylinders about 36ft below stream bed.

The river bed is about half a mile wide and the water rises about 15ft. and is very rapid and fetches down great quantities of timber as may be seen in the foreground.

On the left of the picture is seen a low bank, which is the railway line on the left bank of the Manawatu Gorge, and about 1 mile from the 1st tunnel, which is over 25 chains long and about a mile and a 1/2 from the second tunnel, which is over 19 chains long.

R McGonagle 1889

[Handwritten pencil on the left side of photo not legible]

Two unidentified men inspecting construction of railway tracks