A TRIP TO THE SOUTH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 135, 2 November 1877, Page 2

A TRIP TO THE SOUTH.

(WMTTKN FOB THE AKAROA MAIL.)

I had long wished to go down South, and at length the time arrived-when my wishes were to be gratified. I had a twofold object in taking this trip. First, I wanted to see a near relativs who was located there ; and. secondly. I wanted to see the country. There was a third object which was in a great measure personal to myself. For some time past I had to get through a great deal of mental work, and 1 was suffering from that species of lassitude which only those who bave to do much brain work experience, and I knew that a change of scene and a . change of society would do me good, and 1 should return from my trip a new man.

Accordingly, one fine Friday morning, I found myself on the platform of Anhburton station. The sun was .shining brightly, and the larks were singing gaily overhead. The township of Ashburton. surrounded by plains which stretch away for miles in every direction, is a bustling.

thriving, wellttoMlo place, showing signs of great progress,, but tlioro is an air o£ intense newness about it which is not very inviting to a stamper. One thing it. will be well to bear itjf mind,' that Ashburton of ten years hence will bear little comparison to Ashbnrton of the present. Then, it will he a large and populous inland town, repleie not only with the luxuries but the elegancies of Hfe. But [ must get on with my journey. The guard's whistle has sounded and .Wen answered by tin , , locomotive's; shrill scream, and we arc oil:. I .shall not attempt anything like a detailed description of the country through which we passed, but only of those features which are remarkable either lor the grandeur of their character, their sceniu beauty, or from associations connected with them. The Rangitata is crossed by two bridges. When I passed over it there were only two small streams ■flowing , swiftly along .through channels, composed of l.oulderd and .shingle. .It was quiet enough then, but when in flood this river becomes changed into a foaming torrent, rushing along with resistless fury, and bearing destruction in its" course. There was nothing particularly worthy or! notice until we iieared the Orari station, and then the character of the scenery changed; there were neat villa residences embowered in trees, the vivid green of the ' weeping, willows contrasting finely with the dark foliage of the eucalypti with which they were intermingled ; bright spring riowers, too, laughed gaily in the sunshine, and the.air was fresh with perfume.,' The hills also were covered with native forest, andbe- ,- hind them peered.the snowy peaks of the Southern Alps. As we sped along,, the aspect of the country became more and more beautiful, until at length the sea, then of an intense azure, and sparkling in the sunlight like 'an immense ]iviiig : sapphire, came into view. The' train was now passing through a scene- ofindescri-. bable grandeur. On the one side lay the ocean, calm and placid as a summer lake, but the boom of whose waters, nevertheless, fell upon the ear- like a mighty diapason, telling of almost irresistible yet slumbering power; on the other, the Southern Alps towered aloft, their snowclad summits standing out in bold relief against the bright blue sky. On either side was a'mighty .monument of creative power. The train sped on through a pretty country until we reached Temuka, a township which looked bright in the sun, with its beautiful gardens, and the distant hills forming a fine background. Temuka boasts of four cliurches ; one, the Presbyterian, struck me as being in good taste, with its spire covered with fretted gothic work.. At Temuka, two travelling companions joined me—for hitherto I had been alone in the carriage—two lads who were going to Timaru to attend the public school. We kept on our way, passingnumerous pleasing spots, until .we arrived at the Washdyke Junction, where one of the factories of the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company is situated. These works stand on the side of a hill and during the season afford employment to nmuourous hands. Stil! on we go, and utter passing through a deep cutting, the train stops, and we stand the platform , at Timaru, and here the first face that greets me is an old familiar one, that of Mr Jones, formerly,station master, at Chriisteliiirdi'j""Uit u<.w acting, in a similar capacity ,'it'Ti.uiim. ;• I may mention,, en piutuui, that the whole of the- ) country from /Uhburto'n to Timaru, bear* ! marks ot: eaivLul cultivation and great i industry, the crops at the time of iHjr j visit were looking splendid, the face' of ! the country seemed clad with a carpet of. e.uerald, and there was the promise of a most abundant harvest.

I find, however, that I have already exceeded my prescribed and I according! v reserve my sketch of Timaru and the remainder of my trip for a future occasion. (To be continued.)