OPENING OF THE WANGANUIMANAWATU LINE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5377, 21 June 1878, Page 7

OPENING OF THE WANGANUIMANAWATU LINE.

(From the Manawatu Times, 22nd May.)

Although during the past month various official trips have been made between Wanganui and Foxton, Monday was, the first day on which the line was formally opened for passenger traffic, and notwithstanding that the department did not deem it of sufficient importance to have any demonstration to mark the event beyond the mere issue of double tickets at the single rate, his Worship the Mayor of Palmerston declared it a public holiday. The train from Foxton arrived at and started from Palmerston punctually at the advertised hour, and on reaching Halcombe was met by the down train, having on board Mr. T. F. Eotheram, the general manager. The train from Wanganui was in tow of the “ Pelican,” a powerful Farlie’s patent, capable of coping with the steep gradients on the northern section of the line, and as the “Dougal” was unequal to the task of performing the through journey, it became necessary to tranship th*e passengers. While shunting with that view, one of the carriages by some neglect or other got off the rail on to the line, but by the aid of a few levers, and under the direction of Mr. Eotheram, it was quickly replaced in position and started away to time. The patch of line between Halcombe and Marton was, of course, the only portion of the line previously closed to the public, but it is not, by any means, one presenting any engineering difficulties, the road being comparatively straight until the Kangitikei Kiver is crossed, after which almost three parts of a circle is described, when Greatford is reached. From thence until Marton comes in sight—a distance of tour miles and 60 chains—the line is straight as an arrow and as level as a bowling green. The appearance of the country after crossing the river and leaving the Manawatu behind is something surprising, and would make it appear as if another region were entered. The bush which has greeted the eye almost without a break from Carnarvon is seen np more, and gorao hedges and green fields, with occasional up-turned land, supply its place. From leaving Marton the rail dips, passing Bonny Glen, and purusing its sinuous course through steep cuttings, until on arrival at Turakina the traveller finds himself in the bosom of a valley, and his further progress blocked up by picturesque but rather formid-able-looking hills; the ascent is made round the side, and after a struggle up an incline for a mile and a half the top is reached, when the 521 b. rails which are used upon all steep grades and sharp curves are discarded, and the 401 b. again brought into requisition. Tho table land reached, a long stretch of level country intervenes for a couple or three miles, when another descent is made into tho valley of the Wangaehu, the grades varying from one in thirty-five, in some portions being even os low as one in thirty-three. After a brief stoppage the Wangaehu (or sulphur) Kiver is crossed, and then commences the most difficult portion of the whole trip. The course, as seen from the valley, is a most remarkable one, as looking upward to the summits of the various hills numerous gaps at various distances apart are visible, and ono can scarcely imagine that the train in its onward progress will have to perform almost a circuit. Indeed, in many portions not only are circles described by the route, but the lino wriggles almost into a continuation of the figure 8. However, on accomplishing the rscent, the labor is well rapaid by the glorious panorama spread out beneath, the river winding its serpentine course in the valley below, with the ocean visible in the distance. Everything is then fair and smooth until a halt is made at Fordell, the nooleus of a township, and at which a pretty little flour-mill is now in course of erection by Mr. Murray, of Wanganui, being a perfect fac simile of that erected at Sandon by the same firm. It is almost completed, and wo were given te understand that grinding operations will bo commenced at the beginning of noxf month. Leaving tho little place behind, we commence another descent, and about as steep and dangerous as any on the line. In fact, besides being one in thirty, there are some of the curves no more than five chains, and so closely together as to cause the train to perform a succession of figures of 8, one being no sooner finished than another commences. This is continued until until the engine pulls up for breathing time at Matarawa, and from thence to tho journey’s end there is nothing but plain sailing. At Okoia, which is eight miles from* Wanganui, there is a small cluster of white pine, and that is tho first approach to anything like bush met with since crossing the Eangitikei, and losing sight of Manawatu. At East Town, which is on tho southern side of tho Wanganui, four acres and a half have been set apart by the Government for the use

of the department, upon which it is contemplated to erect commodious workships. The river is spanned by a splendid bridge, 600 ft. in length, of timber lattice, with iron tie-rods, the abutments standing upon 144 piles driven 35ft. below the water-line, on the top of which there is a solid bed of concrete. It was constructed by: Messrs. Eundle and Bassett, and although : the . contract price was something like £15,000, the builders were over £3OOO out of pocket.: On the other bank the pretty township of Aramoho is located, and there also is the junction of the Patea line. The rails form a complete triangle, one side being that from Foxton to Patea, another from Foxton to Wanganui, while the third is composed of the line from Wanganui to Patea. Thera can be no doubt that the section from Halcombe to the northern terminus will not only prove to be a most dangerous, but an expensive one, and we believe it is the intention of the general manager, Mr. Eotberam, if he can succeed in securing funds for the purpose, to have some of the more dangerous curves altered frorn five to seven chains. One thing is quite certain that he cannot bo expected to carry on the traffic of the line with the very defective rollingstock at present at his command, as to keep the Wanganui section in effective working order he will require facilities which are not at all requisite on other lines. We noticed that not only have the carriages at that end been painted and decorated, but also smoking carriages have been attached : to both first and second elapses, an arrangement which is to be carried out throughout the line. On the return trip to Foxtoa, a start was made at 4.20 p.m,, but owing to long and apparently unnecessary delays at Turakina and Marten, instead of the train arriving at Palmerston at 8.40 it was fully half an-hour after that time. However, taking it altogether, the trial was most successful, and nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of the trip, four hours and a-half being allowed for sightseeing in Wanganui. While [strolling through that town we wandered into the free reading-room, and it may be mentioned, as somewhat of a coincidence, that almost the first object that met our eye was a telegram, framed and glazed, to the following effect :—“ Wellington, November 3, 1869.—T0 the residents of Wanganui.—l congratulate you on the completion of the telegraph ; may it strengthen the bonds of union and promote the prosperity of the colony.— William Fox, Premier.” In concluding this, we cannot do better than repeat the prayer of Mr. Fox, and trust that the next ten years will witness even greater strides in the march of progress. (prom our own correspondent.) Palmerston, May 27. It is not pleasant turning out at half-past six o’clock on a cold frosty morning ; but by the time I had had my tub, commenced to dress, and reflected that I was at all events luckier than the Foxton people, as the train left that place an hour and a half earlier still, I was quite resigned ; and when I bad made a good breakfast, I came to the conclusion that early rising was a grand thing—tor those who liked it. The train is due at Palmerston at 7.30 a.m.; so, breakfast over, I strolled down to the station, calling for a friend on the way. The said friend was not so lucky as myself ; as, having somewhat overslept himself, he had to start foodless. The train arrived punctually from Foxton, but owing to the enormous amount of shunting of trucks, and putting on and changing carriages, which had to be done, we did not get away until 8 o’clock. As it was the Queen’s Birthday, and steeplechases were to be held at Wanganui, the train was well filled, and ten people had to be got into our carriage, which was "licensed to carry” only eight inside. The weather being bitterly cold, however, and no one being sleepy, this was perhaps rather an advantage than otherwise. Leaving Palmerston, we soon got into the bush which borders the line on either side to Feilding. Before reaching the last-named station, however, we had several stoppages, to pick up loaded, and leave behind empty, trucks ; as, for instance, at Messrs. Eichter, Nannestead, and Co.’s sawmills, at Bunnythorpe, and at Mr. Bull’s sawmills, a little further on. Surely there is traffic enough now on the lino to have at least one goods train each way a day, and thus obviate the necessity of every passenger train being detained in this way. At Feilding a further detachment of holiday makers joined us, and consequently more carriages bad to be put ’ on, and more truckshunting had also, of course, to' be gone through. By this time my poor friend, and many others who had not breakfasted, were getting somewhat hungry, not to say famished. Imagine then their disgust on arriving at Halcombe (where, according to the time-table’, ten minutes are allowed for refreshment) to find a refreshment room indeed, and a large one; but a refreshment room occupied by carpenter’s benches in lieu of breakfast tables, and carpenter's tools and shavings in place of beefsteaks and coffee. We were, however, assured that we should have plenty of time to visit the hotel some three or four hundred yards away, and so indeed we had; for thanks to the way in which matters are at present arranged on this lino, the train from Wanganui which crosses the up-train here was (as usual) an hour and a quarter late. Considering that the big race of the day was advertised to come off at noon, and that according to the time-table we were not due until 11.50, this was very pleasant. Everything, however, must have an end, even the delays on the Foxton-Wanganui line, and at 10.15, the down-train having at last put in an appearance and changed engines with us, we Were off again, I may here mention that whatever future Halcombe may have before it, it has not an inviting appearance at present, the hotel, which seems to be a very good one, being the only house of any size visible from the station at all events. The country after leaving Halcombe consists of fernlaud, flax, and ti-tree, alternating with somewhat low bush, and a few farms, until wo draw near Marton, after a brief stoppage at Greattord. Although the Marton station is some distance from the centre of the township, there is no lack of life about it, and it is undoubtedly the busiest place between Palmerston and Wanganui. Then onwards down a tolerably steep gradient into the Turakina valley, leaving numerous large sheep runs and pleasant homesteads behind on either side. After a brief stoppage at Turakina station, which many passengers take advantage of to try tlm hotel tap, wc are off again and almost immediately we cross the river of the same name by a well-built bridge. Near it is the old bridge tor _ the coach road, which has evidently seen its best days, and which looks as if it would “ cave in” with the next cart that crosses it. Now we go upwards once more, along a winding line cut in the half-formed sandstone. The country in this neighborhood consists of a Series of small hills, which give one the idea of having at some remote period been sandhills, though they are now covered with verdure. So winding is the lino here, and so steep, that almost every turn may be seen from the train the line we . have just travelled over on the one side and the Hue we shall shortly come to on the^ other. Having at length attained the summit, we descend again at a rapid pace by a of one in thirty-five. Passing the little station of Okoia, we find ourselves entering the Wanganui valley, and crossing an iron bridge on pillars across the Wanganui river, between East Town and Etimo, we are fairly in it, and shortly afterwards pull up at Wanganui station. It being by this time one o’clock, the grand ■steeplechase is of course over, but if it was anything like the three others we saw we did not miss much, as they may ho briefly but correctly described as a series of baulks and spills. The trotting race, however, which concluded the meeting, would have been a good one had tho handicapping been done a little more judiciously. Starting back at six o’clock (two hours later than usual on account of the races) we arrived in Palmerston once more at 11.30 p.m., very sleepy and tired, and went to bed fervently trusting that the next time we went to Wanganui by train on pleasure bent the trains might do the sixty-three miles in considerably under five hours and a half.