THE LITTLE RIVER RAILWAY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 542, 23 September 1881, Page 2

THE LITTLE RIVER RAILWAY.

On Wednesday morning early our correspondent, accompanied by a well-known resident, started on a trip to tbe Little River Railway. The morning was exceedingly fin*, and tbe ride very pleatan'.. Our representative noticed that everywhere on the road the grass was springing fast, giving promise of plenty of feed this summer, and heard good news about the lambs, but was sorry to ascertain that Mr Brooks and others have lost a good many cattle on the higher parts of the ranges during the bite severe weather. Mr Shadbolt is building a new bakery at the Head of the Bay, besides making extensivo additions to his private residence. The o!d Pigeon Bay road was chosen as tbe route to the top of the hill, and the magnificent view from the summit of Pigeon Bay and the ocean, with the snow-clad Kaikouras in the distance, on the one side, and Akaroa Harbor on the other, was much admired. The road was in good order and ni< c and soft for the horses' feet, but a few overhanging trees should be removed as soon as possible, or they may fall on somo unfortunate traveller at a future date.

After a glass of beer at tbe " House on tho Hill Top," the descent was commenced, and Mr Coop's was reached about 10 a.m. Mr Coop .vis very busy, as be was mustering his sheep for docking, an I besides that had some of Air Anderson's own at work at the saw-mill machinery, After partaking ol Mr Coop's hospitality. another slait was made, with Mr Coop in company, and the new school being reached, theie was another case of dismounting. Mr Wotitrupp showed the part}- through the s-chool, which has not only n very handsome exterior, but is most coiiveiiionily fitted inside, the only fault k-ing that there is too much accommodation for the infants in proportion to that for the elder children. Tin children all looked ye y well and happy, and the master stated that the attendance bad enormously increased since tbe new school bad been opened, some seventyfive children being now on the books; After another stoppage at Mr Olphert's comfortable hotel, where another equestrian, in tbe shape of the genial landlord, joined the party, tracks were made for Mr Wascoe's, which was quickly reached in company with that worthy handler of the ribbons, Joe McFailane. Our friends bore met with a disappointment, for they found that Mr Jtsse Coates, the contractor for the railway, was absent in town.

The next place virited was the camp at the head of the Lake, where Mr Coates's men are located. Tnis is quite a little town of itself, but now that the present contract is nearly completed, the population is decreasing, only about GO men living there instead of 100 as formerly. The arrangements are capita!, and the feeding, to judge by what was seen, excel lent. Thct most important functionary, the cook, did the honors, and shewed the party tbe great eating room, with accommodation for over a hundred to sit down al once. Th's and the kitchen are built of boards, but the men sleep in tents of their own. A few joints, about 8 cwts of beef and mutton, which aad just come in from the butcher were exhibited, and really splendid meat it was, ami a credit to Messrs Stanbiuy Bros., th» local butchers, who have the contract for supplying it. Preparations were being made for the evening meal, and the great oven and boiler were full of joints which emitted a most savory o lour. A capital plum pudding was ta>ted and praised, and then the party went to have a. look at the line.

It was a lucky time to have a view of it for the engine was just star ing towards Lincoln with seveiit.-eu trucks of ballast. I Mr Coates has nearly completed his contract, aud in a few days seventeen miles of the iino, from Lincoiii to the head or Lake Forsyth will be ready for traffic as far as the line is concerned. As yet, ; however, there arc no atatio is or sidings, except one at Greenpark, and contracts are not called for them, but are sure to be shortly. Owing.to the question also of where the terminus is to be the site of the stations is not arranged, but of cour.-e it is the desire of every one that the line should be taken on as soon as possible along Lake Forsyth to the Little River valley, and up that valley as far as the ope ing of the proposed tunnel. The line so far has been properly surveyed, and tbe engineering difficulties do not seem to be great, as along the Lake the route will bo outside the road, and all that will be required to form it will be to raise it above tne wat r level by ballast, which is obtainable in vast quantities from the side of the bill. In forming the permanent way two objects will be gained, for

tho road will he widened by the stuff | being taken away to form it. That tho lino should be brought to Little River at once is most important, as it is from there that the traffic will come, and the carting of llio timber, or floating it down the Lake, as at present required to reach the mi way, would be most expensive. Once get Ihe line up tho valley, and the enormous traffic th t would spring up with the plains for firewood alone would do much to support tbe line, without reckoning the sawn timber or passenger traffic at all. The great trouble seems to be about the rise of water in the Lakes, which, it appears, are not easy to let out until they attain a certain height that is most injurious to the line. A great deal of damage wes done by Lake Ellesmere's being so high a few weeks ago, and it cost a good deal to effect tho repairs, so that every care will have to be taken to prevent the recurrence of such a catastrophe. After leaving the railway the party visited the site of the proposed townships of Lnkeboumeand Fleetwood, which are situated at tbe head of Lake Forsyth. They aro on that fine shingle for which Biniling's Flat is remarkable, and are in a fine breezy situatson with a capital view of the ocean on one side, with its breakers and bold headlands, and of the placid scenery of Lake Forsyth on the other. Mr Coop has great faith in tho future of Fleetwood, which is his property.

After another stoppage for tea at friend Olpherts, our representative and bis companion with another friend they picked up, started for home which they reached thoroughly tired, shortly after midnight.