Railway Excursions.

Manawatu Herald, 3 December 1898, Page 2

Railway Excursions.

Next Wednesday the first of a regular series of excursions will be run by the railway department from Pa!m?rston to Foxton. The object of these excursions is to give the residents inland an opportunity, weekly, of visiting the ocean beacb and thus secure the health giving breezes of the ocean. The railway, we think have shown a commendable business pu'h in adopting the suggestion of the 3 j trains which we advocated for last summer, and the department has fixed the price for the tickets very low. The return fare is only two shillings, and say that the steamer fare should be one shilling and sixpence, the visitors will get 48 miles of railway travelling and 15 miles of steamer travelling, and some threw or four hours on tha sea beach for three shillings and sixpence a head for adults and one shilling and ninepence a head for children. There can be obtained not only a large amount of enjoyment in the trip, but also a large increase in the stamina of the visitors, which would go ft long way to reduce doctors bills. We can only hope that the opening day will be a boautiful one and that all the proceedings Will go off pleasantly. Of course it is open to the excursionists to stop at Foxtoo and they need not travel by steamer to the beach, but could make thfir way by walking or by bicycle, lo fact those who have not such a river as we have, would very much enj a holiday on the river near the wharf, and could go bathing or fishing, If the excursions should be successful it means that during the summer months a large number of persona will visit Foxton, leading to any number of advantages not at present thought of, so that we hold it tn be the duty of all set-tier .4 and btt -ins** man to do what they can tn eecure the comfort and enjoyment of these excursionists, and we think some organisation should havo been formed so that the best arrangement* could have been made. It is impossible to say how many excursionists may travel on Wednesday, but suppose that there should bt> more than the steamers could carry, in what way can we mini raise the disappointment of tlwwe who cannot get away in the first trip 9 ? Are there any pleasure boat!) to be let on hire ? How many whitebait nets could be lent to our f iends to while away the time ? who would volunteer to show tta young men good and safe bathing places, and whit about the necessary cowels ? The catering we expect will be attended to, and there should bo people on the beach with fruit, tea, and something more substantial, as well as a stand at the station We look upon this first trip as an experiment and we must do all we can to make tho3e who travel down h'*rp, to h*v* a goid time so t-h-u their report will have a good effect oq the following day. We should tike to see our Town band welcome the train with a jo'ly air, which wilt ?iva the excursionists an idea that they are welcome, and will help to lay tlv- foundation of a good under, landing all through. Whoever does anything for profit; must bear in mind to bi reasonable in charges, and have a tastey article, and to do oothinsr to kill the goo?e which will lay golden egg* if properly cired for