A TRIP TO WOODVILLE.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 43, 15 November 1882, Page 3

A TRIP TO WOODVILLE.

(by oue special bepobter.? Comfortably seated behind four spanking horses, under the experienced control of Dick Morphy, we Howled along (he Kimbolton road oa the fine — because tuc first — summer's day that befel on Sunday last. Turning sharp to the right after a few miles, we take the Ashurst road, which leads us over gentle undulations into the quiet little village of Ashurst. On our way we pass many saug little fjMii houses, from the doors and windowi of which gaze and peer anxious and inquisitive eyes of little urchins, over whese heads we observe the reproachful glances of the elder folks, who are not quite sure whether they should admire the turn-out, or sigh over the sinfulness of people who so far fall into wickedness as to make Sunday a day of amusement and pleasure instead of a Jday of repentance and sadness. Unchecked by these untoward and probably misinterpreted glances, we proceed on our wicked way rejoicing, and grateful fer the sunshine, the song of the birds, the fresh scents of the forests, and i hankful for the strong animal life which gives us capacity to enjoy these things. Kven the horses are happy, and appear to derive a sort of mental satisfaction from the cheery voice of Dick, as he encourages them to keep going. We entered Ashurst as the people were just going to church, and we saw the last devout couple leave the street to enter the church. This left the whole village inanimate apparently; eren the dogs were •asleep in the rays of the scorching sun, while a solitary pig wandered indiffer•ently aloag, making for the grateful given by the adjacent forest. We paused to water the horses at the Otangnaki Hotel, where we found a number of visitors from Foxton and Palmerston. They were ** oa pleasure bent," and the worthy landlord found profitable and pleasant work in assisting them to slake the burning thirst generated in their todies by the burning sun. Mild and gentle fluids seemed the most popular, and very few wer» so foolish as to indulge in anything stronger than good mild ale. Our next business was tn cross the ferry This was done in two trips, as 4he capacity of the punt did not appear ■equal to take the brake and four horses. This opinion was wrong, inasmuch that on our return the whole lot wa3 carried over with perfect safety. We would not have risked it, however, if the alert and •experienced ferryman, Hurrey, had not been our Charon. Over tie river, a few minutes brought us into tiie Manawatu Oorge, of the beauties and dangers of which we will not attempt to give any detailed description. To some of us it "was a first visit, and our attention was «o much occupied in calculating the lieight we were above the stream in order to form some idea as to what sort of an appearance our carcasses would have if mixed with the body of the brake and the horses in one awful " mash" if we -should be suddenly pr.-cipitated down the precipitous cliff in which the road is cut. We had a few moments dariug which we could admire the rush of water jvit the rapids, and watch the lovely shades and tints in the rugired gullies springing from tin 1 river bed, tilled wita beautiful ferns mud the ui.ijestic nikau palm showing its "varied line agninst a back ground of dark «nd sombre green made bj the forest .trees. We also had time to note the l>oundj;ry si one, a huge rock in the centre of the river, which is a land mark be--Iwfc» the provinces of Wellington and -Hawkesßay. Arriving at the bridge, our spirits were somewhat damped by the information that as we would arrive at Woodville after the dinner hour at the Wood vi lie Hotel, we would have to go lungry. A profound sadness pervaded •our nioial atmosphere (we don't clearly luow what this means, but it sounds -well) and was only partially removed when Dick Morphy said, " Any way we may find it all right"— and it was all aright. We found the hotel everything that could be desired, and although we -were late Host Murphy soon put before US a most substantial meal, with all the little etceteras that make a dinner so welcome to the hungry traveller. Whoe'er has travelled life's dull round, Where'er his stages may have been, May sigh to think he still has found The warmest welcome at an inn. After having liberally attended to the -wants of the inner man, we proceeded to make a cursory examination of the township of Woodville and its invirons. We found a large and commodious store and warehouse, in which Messrs Monteith and Fountain do a large and increasing business. A Temperance Hotel is in «ourse of erection, which may or may not prove a success. If it does it will be an exception to the rule. We noticed two ot three small business places, a post and telegraph office, and a lock up. The latter dues not appear to be much used. A section of land (^ acre) was sold a few days ago for £300.. and the purchaser intends building an opposition store upon it. One of the bunk managers from Palxnerston has been priciag sections with the intention of purchasing for the purpose of opening a bank agency. The proprietor of a newspaper has stated his intention of opening a Woodville agency, and so oa. We may safely assert that this is a most rising township; in fact the place cannot help going ahead. It is surrounded by magnificent bush land, on which is settled an industrious and increasing population. The only drawback is that all goods must come via Foxton from Wellington by steamer, and from Foxtoa to I almorston by rail, then by dray through the Gorge to Woodville, and vice vertcu, with whatever exports the settler* may have. Some day or other befoNL^he Greek Kalends, we may see a railway thSfe. We presume the Govern went will find out someday that a branch line extended to Woodville would pay. However, we will not discuss that question as it is time for us to start back again. We left Woodville at 3.15, and after a pleasant run arrived safely in Feilding just after dark, the horses as fresh as paint, and the passengers fiercely hungry after their trip. This is one of the most pleasant drives in the colony, given a fine day, a good team of horses, and a few pleasant companions. The cost is trifling, and the lovely scenery mere than compensates for the apparent danger attending a drive along the Gorge Tond, and the risk gives a zest to the journey.