F.F. B. Team's Trip to Christchurch

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 114, 24 March 1892, Page 3

F.F. B. Team's Trip to Christchurch

__♦ Notes by the "Quiet One." We left Feilding full of expectations. At Palmerston, by the courtesy of Mr McKenna, we were just able to get our passes and rush into the train for Woodville. After partaking of a good square meal at host Bickerton's Hotel, the team turned out and had a good practice, by the courteßy of the Woodville Brigade. After the practice we "did" the town, which, by the way, we all fell in love with as a yery neat little place. We had the pleasure of here meeting a few old Feilding friends, viz., Mr F. Dowling, Mr 0. Harmer, and others. We had a few songs and then retired to rest. Fireman A. C. began to look bad through eating pies, in fact he was a fair shark all through. After a good night's rest, a bath and breakfast we boarded Peter's four-horse coach for Eketahuna — r thirty firemen, representing Feilding, Woodville, New Plymouth, and Hawera. In a yery short time we had exchanged greetings and were brothers. From Woodville to Eketahuna the trip was very enjoyable, the road being through bush country. The weather was grand and, like true Britons, we were happy. At Pahiatua we walked ahead while the coach was changing horses. This interesting plaice is making strides, and with good city fathers it will be a fine place some day. We did not Bee the man with the poison, but no doubt he will get to a j hot town some day, where the firemen will look after him. After a 27-mile ride we arrived at Eketahuna, and rushed for host Forhill's hotel, where lunch was ready ; but they had only reckoned for twelve, and, as firemen generally do, we upset the house, and. ate up everything we could lay our hands on. Fireman K. shocked the whole company by asking the good-looking waitress for a spoon. She did not ask after his requirements again. We took the tram at 2 p.m. hoping to catch the Takapuna, but we were disappointed to find we could not get to Wellington till 8 p.m., and the boat was to leave at 2 p.m. Wishing to have a game of cribbage, the foreman tried to get a pack of cards from the station master. By the look on his face you would have thought his chimney was on fire. Cards ! We didn't get them. At Featherston we sent a wire to our captain at home, to let him know we were enjoying ourselves. Nothing unusual occurred till we ascended the Bimutaka, where we changed engines and pulled for the top. To try the speed up, several of us got off the carriage and walked — very clow at that. It is a very rough-looking place. Our impression of the Wairarapa plains were not very favorable. For some miles the only crops worth noting were stones. Arriving at Wellington, we replenished the inner man at the City Buffet. We then went to the oper3, and tried to hear " Still Waters Bun Deep," but Fireman C. snored so loud that we were glad to hear " God save the Queen." On Thursday the 10th the weather was grand and we saw all the Bights of Wellington. We were off at 4 p.m. by the Botorua. Although the sea was calm we thought it wise to take a few restoratives to help us in the hours of need — shrimps, pears, Eno's fruit salts, apples, lemous oranges, brandy balls, cakes, buns, and grapes. The practice at the word ' Europe' was not well attended, only three of us wishing to die. As we entered Lyttelton the Jane Douglas and another small boat steamed out, and we were thankful we were < not on board for they were trying to jump | over every wave. At the entrance of the harbor are the three masts of the ill-fated ship May Queen, which went down some time back. We entered the port at 9.30 after a grand trip, Lyttelton from the bay looks a pretty town. It is built in a snug little bay on the face of a high mountain. We enquired for a cabby, but were surprised to hear that not one could get a living there. Being the port of Christchurch, a large amount of shipping is done here : about 20 steamers and 16 Bailing ships were waiting for grain. (To be continued.)